2 Samuel 6: Doing the right thing the right way

1. What was the Ark of the Covenant and what was inside it?

Exodus 25:10-11 (NLT)
“Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long,
27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure
gold, and run a molding of gold all around it.

Hebrews 9:3-4 (NLT)
Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the
Most Holy Place. 4 In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest
called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside
the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and
the stone tablets of the covenant.

2 Samuel 6:3-7 (NLT)
They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house,
which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart 4
that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 5 David and all the
people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all
kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and
cymbals. 6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen
stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then
the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead
because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.

2. Why was God so harsh to Uzzah for steadying the Ark?

1 Chronicles 15:13 (NLT)
Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the LORD
our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.”

Exodus 25:13-15 (NLT)

Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles
into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 15 These carrying poles must stay
inside the rings; never remove them.

Numbers 4:15 (NLT)

The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering
the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry
these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects,
or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites
must carry.

2 Samuel 6:9-19 NLT
David was now afraid of the LORD, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark
of the LORD back into my care?” 10 So David decided not to move the Ark of the
LORD into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of
Gath. 11 The Ark of the LORD remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three
months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.
12 Then King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household
and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and
brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a
great celebration. 13 After the men who were carrying the Ark of the LORD had
gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced
before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. 15 So David and
all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the
blowing of rams’ horns.
16 But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of
Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and
dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him.
17 They brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the special tent
David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace
offerings to the LORD. 18 When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the
people in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 19 Then he gave to every
Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a
cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.

3. Like David, some of our family won’t appreciate our passion for The Lord.

2 Samuel 6:20-23 NLT When David returned home to bless his own family,
Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How
distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the
servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” 21 David retorted to Michal, “I was
dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He
appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate
before the LORD. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this,
even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will
indeed think I am distinguished!” 23 So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained
childless throughout her entire life.

Fill Ins:

1. What was the _____________ of the Covenant and what was inside it?
Exodus 25:10-11 (NLT)
Hebrews 9:3-4 (NLT)
2 Samuel 6:3-7 (NLT)

2. Why was God so __________________ to Uzzah for steadying the Ark?
1 Chronicles 15:13 (NLT)
Exodus 25:13-15 (NLT)
Numbers 4:15 (NLT)
2 Samuel 6:9-19 NLT

3. Like David, some of our _________ won’t appreciate our passion for The Lord.
2 Samuel 6:20-23 NLT

Further Study Questions:

Doing the right thing the right way. 2 Samuel 6

1. What was the Ark of the Covenant and what was inside it? See Exodus
25:10-11 and Hebrews 9:3-4.
2. Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5. Describe the worship in transporting the Ark?
3. What happened next in 2 Samuel 6:6-7?
4. What commands are found in Exodus 25:13-15 and Numbers 4:15? What
was the name of the family line responsible for the carrying of the Ark?
5. Since the Lord is loving, gracious, forgiving and merciful, how do we process
the death of Uzzah? What further information is in 1 Chronicles 15:13?
6. Read 2 Samuel 6:9-11. What was David’s reaction and what happened to
Obed-edom?
7. Read 2 Samuel 6:12-19. What did David do in verse 14 and what was his
wife Michal’s response?
8. Like David, some of you may have family that don’t appreciate or approve of
your passion for The Lord. How does that make you feel? What helps you to
move forward and continue to love the Lord?
9. In 2 Samuel 6:20-23, what was David’s response to Michal? How does
David’s response encourage your worship?