Beyond Sunday: Looking for the Ark by [Editors note: Beyond Sunday is a Monday refresher to carry you through the week.] Focus Verse of the Week And David said to all the assembly of Israel, If it seems good to you and from the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul. (1 Chronicles 13:2-3, ESV) Classic Commentary Gratitude for the high and splendid dignity to which he had been elevated would naturally, at this period, impart a fresh animation and impulse to the habitually fervent piety of David. But, at the same time, he acted because of other motives. He fully understood his position as ruler under the theocracy, and, entering on his duties, he was resolved to fulfil his mission as a constitutional king of Israel. Accordingly, his first act as a sovereign related to the interests of religion. The ark being then the grand instrument and ornament of it, he takes the opportunity of the official representatives of the nation being with him to consult them about the propriety of establishing it in a more public and accessible locality. This assembly consisted of the Sheloshim, princes of thousands (2 Samuel 6:1). During the reign of Saul, the ark had been shamefully neglected. Consequently, the people had, to a great extent, been careless about the ordinances of divine worship, or had contented themselves with offering sacrifices at Gibeon, without any thought of the ark, though it was the chief and most vital part of the tabernacle. The duty and advantages of this religious movement suggested by the king were apparent, and the proposal met with universal approval. (Adapted from Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Browns Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1 Chronicles 13.) A Thought to Keep When we examine our lives, do we see a rich interest in or a neglect of the principle parts of worship? Theres no better time to bring them back.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:08:24 +0000
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