Thursday, July 1, 2010

July 2

2 Sam 15:24-37

24 Abiathar came up, and Zadok also, with all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, until the people had all passed out of the city. 25Then the king said to Zadok, ‘Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and the place where it remains. 26But if he says, “I take no pleasure in you”, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.’ 27The king also said to the priest Zadok, ‘Look, go back to the city in peace, you and Abiathar, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan son of Abiathar. 28See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.’ 29So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.

30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head covered and walking barefoot; and all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went. 31David was told that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, ‘O Lord, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’
Hushai Becomes David’s Spy

32 When David came to the summit, where God was worshipped, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth on his head. 33David said to him, ‘If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. 34But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, “I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so now I will be your servant”, then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. 35The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you there. So whatever you hear from the king’s house, tell it to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. 36Their two sons are with them there, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan; and by them you shall report to me everything you hear.’ 37So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

BLOG DISCUSSION QUESTION: Does it seem odd that David left the ark of the Covenant behind?

1 comment:

Pastor Jerry said...

When the Israelites wandered through the wilderness, the Ark always led them. When they went into battle, the Ark was with them. The Ark was the footstool of God's throne, and so when the Ark was with the people, the people had God on their side. But now, Jerusalem had become the touchpoint of God's presence, and so the Ark belonged, not with David, but in Jerusalem. It may seem odd that David left the ARk in Jerusalem, but that was it's home.