Observations and Interpretations:
(1) Repeated phrases:
God was with David
5:10 David’s power grew steadily, for the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
God went before David to strike down his enemies
5:24 For at that moment the LORD is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
The LORD protected David
8:6, 14 The LORD protected David wherever he campaigned.
(2) How did David reacted
(NAC) Hiram’s generous gifts to David, coming as they were from one of the historically most powerful city-states of the eastern Mediterranean seaboard, helped David to know that the Lord “had exalted his kingdom.” But David also understood that he had not received this unparalleled success so that he might experience personal aggrandizement; rather it was “for the sake of his [= the Lord’s] people Israel.”
(2) How did David reacted
5:11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a palace for David. 12 David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
(NAC) Hiram’s generous gifts to David, coming as they were from one of the historically most powerful city-states of the eastern Mediterranean seaboard, helped David to know that the Lord “had exalted his kingdom.” But David also understood that he had not received this unparalleled success so that he might experience personal aggrandizement; rather it was “for the sake of his [= the Lord’s] people Israel.”
Reflection: Do we see any "unparalleled success" or any credits that we do not deserve? If yes, do we see that as a gift from God? Do we see that God gave us those gifts to help His people [the church]?
(3) Why did God kill Uzzah? 6:6-7
(NAC) As respectful and well-intended as David’s effort was, however, it violated Torah guidelines regarding the transport of the ark (cf. Num 4:15; 7:9 But to the Kohathites he gave none, because the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders, was their responsibility)....Uzzah reached out and “took hold of the ark of God” to stabilize and protect it. However, in so doing he committed a capital offense established in the Torah (cf. Num 4:15).
(4) Why was David angry and then afraid when Uzzah was attacked by God? 6:8, 9
8 David was angry because the LORD attacked Uzzah; so he called that place Perez Uzzah, which remains its name to this very day. 9 David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How will the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”
2 possibilities for David was angry: (NAC) (1) He was angry at God for killing Uzzah or (2) he was angry that Uzzah had acted in such a way as to cause God to use a fatal judgment to him? If option 2 is correct, then David was angry at himself, because he was the one who indirectly caused the death of Uzzah. Therefore, he was afraid of God because of his sins.
2 possibilities for David was angry: (NAC) (1) He was angry at God for killing Uzzah or (2) he was angry that Uzzah had acted in such a way as to cause God to use a fatal judgment to him? If option 2 is correct, then David was angry at himself, because he was the one who indirectly caused the death of Uzzah. Therefore, he was afraid of God because of his sins.
(NAC) Having witnessed a dramatic demonstration of the Lord’s zeal to protect his holiness, David became “afraid of the LORD that day” (v. 9). His deepened respect for the Lord’s power and for his willingness to use it against anyone who would violate the Torah
Reflection: Have we done anything like David did to Uzzah? Do we directly or indirectly cause other people to fall?
Have we learned our lesson when we witness the judgement of God? Will our knowledge of God's holiness increase?
Audrey
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