“David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called. They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.” (vv.6-7)
David understood the importance of the Ark of the Covenant. Having made Israel militarily more secure, he now turned his attention to putting the nation back on a sound spiritual foundation. His first priority was to recover the Ark and bring it to his new capital city of Jerusalem. At that time, the Ark had been in Kiriath Jearim for about a century. The Philistines had captured it in battle, but after plagues struck their cities, they had returned it on a new oxcart to Kiriath Jearim, where it had remained.
Many things were right about David's desires and behavior with regard to the Ark. He consulted with other leaders, he acted in a spirit of respect and worship, he celebrated before the Lord, and displayed his personal love of God for all to see. Though David's heart was in the right place, he neglected to submit his decision (in today's reading) to the Lord. The ark should never have been put on a cart. It was (at God's directive), to be carried with poles by priests and was never to be touched by anyone for any reason (Numbers 4:15).
The application for us today is to never assume we know what God wants or that He will “rubber stamp” our plans, no matter how well intended they might be. Ask for His guidance, pray over your decisions with an open mind, and see where His Spirit may lead.
The Truth
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
