Psalm 132:6 Study Bible: Look, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:

◄ Psalm 132:6 ►

We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.

We heard
The phrase "We heard" suggests a communal experience or testimony. In the Hebrew context, the word "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and obeying. This reflects the importance of oral tradition in ancient Israel, where accounts and divine instructions were passed down through generations. The communal aspect emphasizes the unity of the people in their spiritual journey and their collective memory of God's works.

that it was in Ephrathah
"Ephrathah" is a significant location, often associated with Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. The mention of Ephrathah ties the verse to the Davidic covenant and the messianic promise. Historically, Ephrathah was a region known for its fertile land, symbolizing abundance and blessing. This reference would remind the Israelites of God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises through the lineage of David.

we found it in the fields of Jaar
The "fields of Jaar" likely refer to the region around Kiriath-jearim, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for a time before being brought to Jerusalem by King David. The Hebrew word "Jaar" (יַעַר) means "forest," indicating a wooded area. This phrase highlights the journey and effort involved in seeking God's presence, represented by the Ark. It underscores the theme of pilgrimage and the desire to bring God's dwelling place to the center of Israel's worship in Jerusalem. The historical context of the Ark's movement reflects the dynamic relationship between God and His people, as well as the centrality of worship in their national identity.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ephrathah
This is a region associated with Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. It is significant as a place of origin and prophecy.

2. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its location and movement were central to Israel's worship and identity.

3. Fields of Jaar
Likely referring to the area around Kiriath-jearim, where the Ark was kept for a time before being brought to Jerusalem by King David. This place is significant in the history of the Ark's journey.

4. King David
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, David's desire to bring the Ark to Jerusalem is a key event related to this passage. His actions reflect his heart for worship and God's presence.

5. The Israelites
The people of God who sought the Ark, representing their longing for God's presence and guidance.

Teaching Points

The Significance of God's Presence
The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people. As believers, we are called to seek and cherish God's presence in our lives through prayer, worship, and obedience.

The Importance of Worship
David's desire to bring the Ark to Jerusalem underscores the importance of worship in the life of a believer. We should prioritize worship both individually and corporately, recognizing it as central to our relationship with God.

Longing for God
The search for the Ark reflects a deep longing for God. In our spiritual journey, we should cultivate a similar longing, seeking God earnestly and consistently.

God's Faithfulness and Fulfillment
The connection between Ephrathah and the birth of Jesus highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. We can trust in God's timing and His plans for our lives.

Historical Context and Spiritual Lessons
Understanding the historical context of biblical events enriches our spiritual insights. We should study Scripture diligently, seeking to understand its historical and spiritual dimensions.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the historical journey of the Ark of the Covenant reflect our own spiritual journey in seeking God's presence?

2. In what ways can we prioritize worship in our daily lives, following the example of King David's reverence for the Ark?

3. How does the prophecy concerning Ephrathah in Micah 5:2 enhance our understanding of God's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' longing for the Ark that can be applied to our own spiritual longing for God?

5. How can understanding the historical context of biblical events, like the location of the Ark, deepen our faith and trust in God's promises?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Samuel 7:1-2
Describes the Ark's stay in Kiriath-jearim, providing historical context for its location in the "fields of Jaar."

2 Samuel 6:1-15
Details King David's efforts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, highlighting the joy and reverence associated with God's presence.

Micah 5:2
Prophecy concerning Bethlehem (Ephrathah) as the birthplace of a ruler in Israel, connecting the significance of Ephrathah to the coming of Christ.

Hebrews 9:4
Discusses the contents of the Ark, emphasizing its role in the Old Covenant and foreshadowing Christ's fulfillment of the law.

Sermons

The History of the Ark Epitomizing the History of the Nation	R. Tuck	Psalm 132:6
A Prayer for the House of David	T. W. Chambers, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
Spiritual Worship	C. Short	Psalm 132:1-18
The House of God	J. Stalker, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
The Song of the Builders	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
Hearing, Seeking, Finding		Psalm 132:6-7
Led of the Lord	S. Conway	Psalm 132:6, 7

People

David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Behold, Ephratah, Ephrath, Ephrathah, Eph'rathah, Field, Fields, Forest, Jaar, Ja'ar, News, Wood

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 132:6-9

8288 joy, of Israel

Library

An Examination of Post-Millennialism.
Post-millennialists teach that the only Kingdom over which Christ will ever reign is a spiritual and celestial one. They say that those Jews who expected their Messiah to set up a visible and material Kingdom on the earth were mistaken, that they erred in the interpretation of their prophetic Scriptures and cherished a carnal and unworthy hope. Let us examine this assertion in the light of God's Word. In Psalm 132:11 we read "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it: Of the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Vive Jesus. Preface.
THE Holy Ghost teaches that the lips of the heavenly Spouse, that is The Church, resemble scarlet and the dropping honeycomb, [15] to let every one know that all the doctrine which she announces consists in sacred love; of a more resplendent red than scarlet on account of the blood of the spouse whose love inflames her, sweeter than honey on account of the sweetness of the beloved who crowns her with delights. So this heavenly spouse when he thought good to begin the promulgation of his law, cast …
St. Francis de Sales—Treatise on the Love of God

Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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