David's second attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of reverence, obedience, and worship. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 15, providing insight into David's leadership and his relationship with God.

Background

The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, represented God's presence among His people. After being captured by the Philistines and subsequently returned to Israel, the Ark remained at the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim for many years (1 Samuel 7:1-2). David, having established Jerusalem as his capital, desired to bring the Ark to the city, signifying the centrality of God's presence in the life of the nation.

The First Attempt

David's initial attempt to transport the Ark was marked by a lack of adherence to the prescribed method of handling the sacred object. The Ark was placed on a new cart, driven by Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab (2 Samuel 6:3). This method mirrored the Philistine practice rather than the Levitical law, which required the Ark to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites using poles (Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15).

As the procession moved, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark, resulting in his immediate death by divine judgment (2 Samuel 6:6-7). This incident caused David to fear the Lord and temporarily abandon his plan, leaving the Ark at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite (2 Samuel 6:9-10).

The Second Attempt

After three months, during which the household of Obed-edom was blessed, David resolved to bring the Ark to Jerusalem with proper reverence and obedience to God's instructions. This time, David ensured that the Levites carried the Ark as prescribed by the Law of Moses. "Then David said, 'No one but the Levites may carry the Ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever'" (1 Chronicles 15:2).

David also prepared a place for the Ark and pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:1). The procession was marked by great celebration, with David and all Israel rejoicing before the Lord with singing, harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets (1 Chronicles 15:16, 28).

David's Worship and Michal's Contempt

As the Ark entered the city, David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen ephod (2 Samuel 6:14). His uninhibited worship was an expression of his deep devotion and humility before God. However, Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife, looked upon his actions with disdain, criticizing him for what she perceived as undignified behavior (2 Samuel 6:16, 20).

David responded to Michal by affirming his commitment to honor the Lord above all else, stating, "I will celebrate before the LORD, and I will humble myself even more than this" (2 Samuel 6:21-22). Michal's contempt resulted in her barrenness, a detail that underscores the seriousness of her disdain for David's worship (2 Samuel 6:23).

Significance

David's second attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem highlights the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience. It underscores the necessity of aligning one's actions with God's commands and the blessings that follow such obedience. David's example of worship serves as a model of wholehearted devotion, demonstrating that true worship involves both reverence and joy in the presence of the Lord.