Lessons from King David: Worshiping God

Once of the first recorded acts of King David was when he ” headed for Baalah to recover the Chest of God”. {2 Samuel 6:1}

David went for the Ark of the Covenant

This chest of God was known as the Ark of the Covenant.

Notice that this was not a solemn procession and occasion.

“David and the whole company of Israel were in the parade, singing at the top of their lungs and playing mandolins, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.” {2 Samuel 6:4}

Not only David, but all of those with him, were singing, dancing and worshiping God. They weren’t praising the Lord quietly. Notice above, they were singing at the “top of their lungs”.

David was afraid when Uzzah touched the ark and died

When Uzzah touched the ark and was struck dead, “David became fearful of God that day”. {2 Samuel 6:10}

David already knew that God was mighty and holy. He had seen how God had protected him in his life and worked in mighty ways. Yet, on this day, David realized just how powerful the Lord really was.

We think of fear as someone being dangerous or a threat, but the Bible describes how we should fear the Lord. Being fearful of God is not to stand quaking in your boots of him, but to stand in awe or reverence of the Lord. To remember that he is the Lord of Lords and Holy of Holies and deserves the respect that goes with who He is and what He is capable of.

After temporarily housing the ark with Obed-Edom, David brought the ark to the City of

David brought the Ark to the City of David

David. David “danced with great abandon before God” {2 Samuel 6:13-14} and Michal “saw King David leaping and dancing before God” {2 Samuel 6:16}. This is when Michal hated David and their relationship was irretrievably broken down.

When Michal confronted David, notice what he said, ““In God’s presence I’ll dance all I want!…I’ll dance to God’s glory—more recklessly even than this. And as far as I’m concerned . . . I’ll gladly look like a fool . . . but among these maids you’re so worried about, I’ll be honored no end.” {2 Samuel 6:20-22}

David danced with abandon

David was not afraid to worship the Lord without abandon. He did not care about how it made him look or if he appeared foolish. He was worshiping with all his heart and soul because he knew the Lord was to be revered.

Once the Ark was in the tent David pitched for it, he worshiped again. “They brought the Chest of God and placed it right in the center of the tent that David had pitched for it; then they worshiped by presenting burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. “ {1 Chronicles 16:1}

I have to admit that in many ways I am very reserved and worry about looking foolish. But, although I do not dance without abandon, I often sing without abandon to the Lord because He is worthy of my honor and praise.

Do you revere the Lord? Do you worship him without abandon?

 

One of David's first acts as king was to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant Click To Tweet

**Pictures from FreeBibleImages.org

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.