2 Samuel 6:12-23

The facts are:

1 . David, learning the blessing that had come upon the house of Obed-Edom, resolves to bring up the ark to Jerusalem.

2 . Having made arrangements in accordance with the Law for the proper bearing of the ark, he inaugurates the procession by a sacrifice.

3 . Girded with a linen ephod, he dances before the ark, and with music and shouting it enters Jerusalem.

4 . Placing the ark in the tabernacle he had provided for it, he offers burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord, pronounces a blessing on the people, and distributes to them meat and drink.

5 . Returning to his house, he is met by his wife Michal, who, having witnessed his dancing before the ark, now reproaches him with having demeaned himself in the eyes of the people.

6 . With mildness of temper, but great firmness, he not only admits the fact, but glories in it as due unto God, and affirms his readiness to again debase himself in the same manner, being sure of winning the esteem of others less prejudiced.

7 . Michal his wife remains childless. We have here a great change in David's religious condition; an event of supreme national interest; and the domestic sorrows of a devout man. The topics suggested may be taken in succession.

Joy restored.

There is a marked change in the David mentioned in 2 Samuel 6:13-15 as compared with the David of 2 Samuel 6:8-10 , and in general terms it may be expressed as a restoration to the joy of his life. But it is well to notice the process implied.

I. THE SINS AND ERRORS OF A REALLY GOOD MAN CAUSE HIM GREAT SUFFERING . In general terms, all sin entails suffering; but facts prove that the degree of personal suffering consequent on particular sins depends on the actual goodness of the man who sins. David was truly a "man after God's own heart," a man of pure sensitive nature, of enlightened conscience and intense sincerity. In some respect his very sin ( 2 Samuel 6:8 ) was consequent on his noble ambition to see God glorified in a great national demonstration. We may be sure, although the historian says nothing of it, that the days immediately after his return to Jerusalem were full of bitterness. The fact that a great project, in which the nation was concerned, had come to a sudden collapse, that elders and common people throughout the land would be talking of his chagrin, that strange impressions would be conveyed as to the stability of his purposes, and the consciousness that his God was not to him now as he had been in days past, must have robbed him of former peace and embittered all the relationships of life. Peter's life was anguish after his fall, because he was so good a man. Dark days and painful sense of solitariness are the lot of many of the faithful after having turned their heart in distrust from their God.

II. REFLECTION ARISES AND GRADUALLY TONES DOWN THE TUMULT OF FEELING . For a time the passion of discontent and distrust, like a storm, would rage, and, while making David wretched by virtue of their own nature, would throw the reflective powers into confusion. No sinner is perfectly sane when under the stormy influence of his sin. In the case of a really bad man the confusion becomes worse by deliberate indulgence in fresh sins in order to get rid of what slight uneasiness is experienced; but with David the disturbing force of sin would gradually expend itself, and the reflective powers would begin to review the situation and gradually allow the influence of truth and fact to reveal the folly and shame of what had been done. The monarch retired from the cares and toils of the day, and, though fretted and vexed by the bad impression his people might entertain as to his persistency of purpose, he could not but ponder the recent path of his feet, and the great truths on which he had formerly been wont to "meditate day and night" ( Psalms 1:2 ). In good men, though fallen and wretched, the intellectual faculties, as under the action of a magnet, will be sure to concentrate on the truths that help to recovery.

III. THE MIND COMES IN DUE COURSE INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH ACTUAL FACTS AND THE WORD OF GOD . Reflection would clear away the mists of passion, and David would see in the light of the written Word the error of setting out with the ark on a cart; the exposure, therefore, by his own arrangement or connivance, of the man to the temptation to violate the Law, and the justice of the blow which fell, as also its use in checking a spirit of indifference and inculcating reverence for sacred things. The piety of his nature, thus brought into direct contact with truth, would at once recognize its force, the shamefulness and folly of the discontent and distrust, and the desirability of placing the life once more in its proper relation to the general interests of religion. Penitents and backsliders are not far from restoration when once they gaze with calm and steadfast eye on the actual facts as illumined by the light of God's Word. The revealed truth of God is the material on which the reflective powers act, and so the truly sorrowful spirit does not become the victim of false imaginings.

IV. THERE IS BROUGHT ABOUT A VIVID RECOGNITION OF THE MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST . AS long as the passions engendered by indulgence in sin darken the soul, there is a loss of that clear and restful view of God which is the peculiar privilege of the pure in heart. David's sin ( 2 Samuel 6:8 ) had transformed the all-merciful, covenanted God into an object of dread ( 2 Samuel 6:9 ). But now that passion was subsiding, and the Word was allowed once more to shed its light on the facts of the case, the true character of God, as set forth in the sacred symbol, reappeared; and love, and mercy, and faithfulness, and care were seen to be concentrated in the glory over the mercy seat. The memory of all that the ark had been to Israel, in the passage of the Jordan and elsewhere, also confirmed the returning conviction of the most precious of all truths. Once more the ark of the covenant of the Lord was, as of old, the revelation of Divine love and mercy. The same spiritual change occurs in men now when, on the subsidence of the passions, the full light of Scripture falls on the soul. God ceases to be full of terrors—an object of dread and avoidance. Christ is seen to be the express Image of the Father's Person, full of grace and truth. The old relation to him as God manifest in the flesh is restored; and the vastness and freeness of the mercy in him outshine all other truth, and shed a radiance on every thought and feeling. There is another transfiguration ( Matthew 17:2 ).

V. THE FACTS OF HISTORY ARE SEEN TO ILLUSTRATE THE TRUTH RECOGNIZED . It was told David how the Lord was blessing the house of Obed-Edom. The experience of the godly who loved and trusted the ark as a symbol of the true character of God was thus in accord with the conviction arising from the exercise of reflection and the subsidence of sinful passion. History was in accord with the best thought concerning God, and furnished striking instances of the reality of a love and mercy by no means to be dreaded. Thus wonderfully does God interweave the experiences of his people for the common good of the Church and for the special help and cheer of those who have fallen into the snare of the evil one. Many a lowly Obed-Edom, by means of a love and trust simple and strong, and the blessedness resulting therefrom, has been the instrument of restoring to right views and feelings others whose position and powers were far more distinguished. Nothing is lost in the kingdom of God; small and obscure persons and things are employed for great ends. The bearing of the actual experiences of sincere and humble Christians in the common walks of life upon the formation, by the more gifted and influential, of just conceptions of the revelation of God in Christ, is a subject worthy of much consideration.

VI. THE TRUTH BEING FULLY RECOGNIZED , THE OLD JOY RETURNS . The narrative sets forth the strong abounding joy of David exhibiting itself in forms which, judged by the cool feelings and conventional standards of Western life, seem almost fanatical. The question of form and degree is here really one of naturalness, and of this there can be no doubt. The king gave himself up to the full dominion of the present joy. The spring of that joy lay in his restored perception of what the ark of the covenant really was to himself and his people. It was not now the seat of flaming fire and source of destruction, but was the visible sign of the presence and favour of the God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in redemption. It told of protection, and guidance, and pardon, and holy communion. It was the reconciling meeting place, where the trembling sinner became the loving, trustful child once more. The Jordan, the walls of Jericho, the restfulness of pious souls on the great Day of Atonement, all told of what a blessed heritage is theirs whose God is the Lord; and could he as a man and a king feel other than boundless joy now that the Refuge and Dwelling place of all generations was coming to make a permanent abode in the very midst of his people? So it is with us all when, having known the oppression and darkness of sin, we come to see in Christ the Manifestation of the reconciling God, who forgiveth our iniquities, shelters us from condemnation, comes into close sympathetic fellowship with our spirits, and abides with us as Guardian and Friend. There are seasons when this restored joy is so pure and strong that all song and music seem too meagre for its due expression—when the spirit exults inexpressibly in the God of salvation. If dancing, when natural, is the gesticulated expression of what cannot be put into word or tone, then it might be an outlet for a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Wise religious leadership.

The narrative from 2 Samuel 6:13-19 describes David's conduct throughout the great processional march to Jerusalem. He was here acting the part of leader of a great religious movement, and in his spirit and deeds we see the conditions of a wise religious leadership.

I. ABSOLUTE DEFERENCE TO THE AUTHORITY OF GOD . By comparing this account with the fuller record in 1 Chronicles 15:1-29 ; it will be seen that David was most anxious that every step taken should be in accordance with the will of God. On the former occasion he seems to have left the people to follow the precedent set by the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 6:7-9 ; cf. 1 Samuel 6:3 ), and we have seen with what sad consequences. The bitter experience of the past few months had, at all events, issued in the desire to pay deference to the revealed will of God in everything, and no longer adopt the questionable methods of men. This feeling is the first prerequisite to all spiritual success. Leaders whose minds are charged with the feeling that God is supreme, and that his will enters into all things and is first of all to be considered, carry with their own actions and words a force of the highest character. Their work is Divine, and God should fill the whole area of their vision. In so far as the thought of God as supreme dominates our mental life do we ensure action on sound principles, and put force and determination into our words and deeds.

II. MANIFESTATION OF A SPIRIT SUITABLE TO THE OCCASION . Whether the wearing of the linen ephod meant the assumption, by inspiration of God, of priestly functions in combination with the kingly and prophetic—typical of him who is our Prophet, Priest, and King—or whether it was but a garment of royalty used on special sacred occasions, this is clear: that by it David manifested a spirit appropriate to a very holy and blessed occasion. He would have people see that this was a time of consecration to the Lord, a time for purity to be the clothing of all, a time of exceptional sacredness. The impression on the people could not but be serious and elevating. Men who lead others have much in their power by virtue of the general spirit they manifest. It should always be in harmony with the occasion, indicating its special character, and bringing other minds into holy sympathy with the end in view.

III. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF GRATITUDE AND DEPENDENCE . There must have been among the people some trepidation on the first movement of the ark, and it was a wise arrangement that, on clearing the house of Obed-Edom, sacrifice should be offered expressing gratitude for mercies vouchsafed, and a sense of dependence on God for pardon and all needful good. The same is true of the offerings at the end of the journey. It was characteristic of the leadership of Moses that he sought to cultivate these sentiments in the minds of Israel all through the desert. We do wrong to ourselves and to God when we fail to recognize our obligations to him on every stage of our life's course. Thankfulness of heart for the past, and trustful submission for all things needed, are the two elements of a cheery, earnest, and lowly service. The preacher, the missionary leader, the teacher, and parent, who knows how to foster these sentiments in others, is in a fair way of carrying through any spiritual work that may be in hand ( Philippians 4:6 , Philippians 4:7 ).

IV. PREVISION FOR COMPLETENESS OF WORK . David not only sought to bring up the ark in a manner agreeable to the will of God, and by such personal bearing and special arrangements as should impress and elevate the people, but he looked on, and, by preparing a tabernacle beforehand, secured a completion of the work befitting its nature. Many a good undertaking is left incomplete for want of this prevision. It is true each man should be intent on the work of the hour, but the work of each hour is to be regarded as having relations to all future time; and so far as lies in our power we may anticipate the success of the succeeding hours and prepare the crowning work. The architect provides for the cupola while careful of the foundations. The statesman arranges for participation in wider privileges while educating the people up to them. The religious reformer looks on to the need of positive instruction and formation of new institutions on newly recognized principles even before releasing the people from the supposed errors of the past. The evangelist who seeks to arouse the people and bring them up to a better life, if wise, will anticipate the result of his efforts by providing solid instruction. Church leaders who seek to conduct the Church through phases of faith and practice, will forecast what is necessary when the present discipline has done its work.

V. HELPFUL WORDS AND BROAD SYMPATHIES . The people must have felt, when David stood up and blessed them in the name of the Lord, and then sent them home with substantial tokens of his sympathy, that he was indeed a leader of whom they might well be proud. The right choice of words, and the deeds which express a personal interest, are things which give a just and beneficial power over men. Human life is very dependent for its highest welfare on words fitly spoken and on deeds which symbolize affection and interest. A master of words that really convey blessing to human hearts is indeed a great man, a worthy leader. It is not by mere assertion of official authority, or performance of deeds strictly in accord with propriety and law, that hearts are won and characters moulded to a nobler type. The leader who can send his people home thankful for his existence and satisfied with the largeness of his heart, is wise -in that he not only blesses men, but also renders them accessible in future to his influence.

Domestic hindrances to piety.

A day of high festivities and holy gladness was closed by an event which must have made David feel how imperfect is the best estate at which man can arrive in this world. The reviling of his wife Michal was indeed a bitter element in the cup, and suggests to us a sad subject, too frequently illustrated in the lives of good men, namely, the hindrances to piety in domestic life.

I. THE MOST PERFECT HUMAN CONDITION IS MARRED BY SOME BLEMISH . To an ordinary observer David would seem to have been on that day the happiest and most honoured of men—monarch of the chosen race, in the flush of health and fulness of power and intellect, beloved by his people, and filled with joy in having brought to pass an event of great religious significance. But even for him there was a bitterness most bitter. In his home, where love and joy and full sympathy with all his noble aspirations ought to abound, there awaited him scorn, distrust, and the venom of spite. Truly, royal personages are not free from common woes. The fairest, most beautiful life is shaded by some sorrow. Every heart knoweth its own bitterness. In this we have, doubtless, an illustration of what has been true in all ages of all men. Behind all grandeur there is some destroying moth. The most charming prosperity is attended with some defect. There is "a crook in every lot." Even the great apostle knew the "thorn in the flesh."

II. DOMESTIC OPPOSITION TO PERSONAL PIETY IS AMONG THE MOST BITTER OF TRIALS . Though, as king amongst men of stubborn will and perverse disposition, David carried on his heart many a care, there was, doubtless, no trouble of his life comparable to that of the opposition of his favourite wife to the conduct which he, as a pious man, felt bound to adopt. Such sorrow presses heavily in the home where only joy ought to be found, and attends, as a dark, unwelcome shadow, the pathway of daily duty out of the home. In so far as we believe godliness to be the best of all things, and the particular expression of it we may adopt as the tribute due to God, so must the antagonism of those we love most of all embitter the spirit. This wearies and worries when, after the toil of day, the domestic circle is sought for repose and refreshment of heart. Apart from the pain of being opposed in what is most sacred and binding and precious, there is the oppressive feeling that two human beings abiding under the same roof, and pledged to mutual love and confidence, are pressing towards eternity with no assurance of being one there. This is a tender subject, the very mention of which may open the floodgates of weeping.

III. THE FORMS OF ANTAGONISM MAY VARY , BUT THE AIM IS ONE — TO WIN OR DRIVE FROM HIGH - TONED SERVICE . The sharp tongue of Michal was employed to reproach David for a form of service in which he rejoiced, and which he believed to be due to God and for the good of the people; and the ulterior aim was to hinder his adopting such courses in future. Others may meet with smiles and persuasions and all the engaging arts of the charmer, which in themselves do not assume the form of antagonism; but are designed for the same end. The manifestation of earnest piety is too earnest, too spiritual, too elevated, for the carnal mind; and hence must be brought down to a lower level. There are unspiritual wives who thus strive to despiritualize their husbands, and sometimes, but not so often, husbands strive to despiritualize their wives. Through unfortunate alliances many a godly soul has to experience this dreadful evil.

IV. THE TRUE WAY OF MEETING THIS TRIAL IS BY COMBINED MEEKNESS AND FIRMNESS . The rasping tongue of Michal and her base insinuations only provoked a gentle reply in a firm spirit. David would not increase the trouble by bitter, cutting words. Referring to God's choice of him and the consequent obligations to do all he could to raise the tone of religion, he calmly informed his wife that his purpose was unchangeable, and expressed the belief that some at least would see honour and not disgrace in his conduct. It is a hard fight to hold one's own in such a contest, and many, it is to be feared, gradually yield for the sake of what is called "peace," only to sink down to a formality in religion congenial to the unspiritual companion of the domestic hearth. Those thus tried have need to lift up their hearts to God for the wisdom and grace by which they shall know how to be true to their God and disarm the opposition or else neutralize its power. They have this encouragement, that, while the favour of the world can only tend to spiritual death, fidelity to God is sure to win the respect of all the good, command the silent reverence of even the hostile mind, and gather up daily strength wherewith to bear the burden of sorrow, and at last end. one's course as a "good and faithful servant."

HOMILIES BY B. DALE