2 Samuel 6

Memory Verse: 2 Samuel 6:14 - “And David danced before the LORD with all his might.” 

Song: Jesus Paid It All by Resonate Church

What do you think of when you think of worship? Is it singing on Sunday at a church service or in the car on your way to work? Is it participating in your favorite hobbies? Is it sharing the gospel with your friends and family? What is worship, and what captures the essence of it?

David knew what it meant to worship, and he is known as a man after God’s own heart. David knew how to worship as he was hiding behind rocks and in caves as Saul was trying to kill him. He knew how to worship when God delivered him from death and brought him to the throne as king over the Israelites. David knew the power, security, and blessings of the Lord’s presence. He was jealous after the Lord’s presence and was desperate to know and experience the goodness of God. 

As we open 2 Samuel 6, David is attempting to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem so that God’s chosen people could have access to the presence and glory of God and could worship Him. We see David attempt not once but twice to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. It is a big production, a big parade. The first attempt had good intentions, and everyone was celebrating, but stopped suddenly at the death of Uzzah. The sudden stop to the big production would’ve been alarming to everyone involved. Imagine you’re celebrating because you think you’re doing a good thing, but you’ve disobeyed an instruction, and someone dies. How would you respond? David responded in anger, fear, and confusion. 

In mercy and grace, God reminds David that he was doing a good thing but did it in the wrong way.David sought to bring the ark back in his way, and as a result, Uzzah died. God, being holy, instructed that death would come to those who touch the Ark. As the ox stumbled, Uzzah reached for the Ark and died because of his error; he didn’t see his own sinfulness. In all honesty, I think sometimes we can be like Uzzah. Uzzah knew of God and wanted to do something that was pleasing to Him. Similarly, we desire to please God, but our sin of pride and control leads us to do things for the Lord that are rooted in selfishness and personal glory. Just like we saw David and Uzzah make decisions about the Ark, carts, and oxen, we too often act using our own methods before stopping to ask God how he’s instructed us to act. 

In David’s second attempt, he follows God’s instruction for how the Ark is to be handled and transported. No carts or oxen, but by the Levites. As David followed God’s instruction regarding the Ark, he responded with worship before the Lord. I want to highlight the emphasis on sacrifice in this passage as they transported the Ark. Every six steps, there was a sacrifice, and in response, David “danced before the LORD with all his might” (v.14). David and the house of Israel continued with loud shouting, playing music, and dancing as they came into Jerusalem with the Ark. 

The picture of worship to God was through sacrifice because it reminded the people that their access to God’s presence could only come at the cost of substitutionary death. Today, we can see what Israel looked forward to that Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, paid the penalty of death on our behalf and took away the sin of the world. Like David, our response in light of God’s merciful and gracious love can only be overwhelming praise and joy because of what God has accomplished on the cross. 

So, back to our original questions: What is worship, and what captures the essence of worship? Worship is the right response to the gospel.  David was led to unshakable joy and unashamed dancing and praising before the Lord because he understood God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness. 

As we meditate and celebrate Jesus being born in this Advent season, I pray we’ll become people who have unshakable joy because we rightly respond to the gospel. 

Reflection Questions:

What sin in your life is hindering your worship? 

When was the last time you were overwhelmed by the gospel, and what was your response?