King James Bible Study: Permanent Place Setting

King James Bible Study: Permanent Place Setting
For: Wednesday April 13, 2011
Chapters: II Samuel 6-9
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-13

Details of Today's Reading: David seeks to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem, David’s desire to build the Lord’s house, the Davidic covenant, the establishment of David’s kingdom, and David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
As Christian's we can rejoice in the fact that we are a part of the kingdom of God and whether we are healthy, wealthy, poor, lame, or blind, we are like one of His sons. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” - Romans 8:16,17. Praise God! Since we are children of God that means, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” - Hebrews 13:5b.

David, was now ruler of all the United Kingdom, he owed all his success to God and did not hesitate to acknowledge that and tell others as well. He lacked one thing though, he did not have the Word of God with him so he was unaware of some of the laws and commands of God. So, to his surprise he saw first hand just how angry God can get when one does not follow His commands. David, along with thirty thousand men, went up to get the Ark of God.

“And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart...And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” - II Samuel 6:2,3,6,7.

Here they are, just dancing and singing in the streets and all of a sudden, trying to keep the Ark from toppling off the cart Uzzah touched it and died instantly. David was sincerely seeking to honor God, but he overlooked two very important instructions involving the transport of the Ark. The Ark had to be carried by poles only on the shoulders of priests, and the penalty for touching the Ark was death. “And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” - Numbers 1:51.

It's important to know all of God's Word so we know the dangers that are before us, it's like a person who accidentally touches a high voltage wire and gets shocked to death because he did not know it was high voltage. I know some parts of the Bible can seem a bit boring and scary, but we are to live by every Word of God. Even in a chapter full of names there is something to be learned by it. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:16,17.

David was humiliated, displeased, and afraid of God that day, but he then humbly prayed to God and asked Him what they needed to do to get the Ark to Jerusalem. To avoid any further consequences David set the Ark inside a mans house named, Obededom.


“So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household. And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.” - II Samuel 6:10-11.

The three months that the Ark was inside Obededom's house the entire household was blessed. This is a great illustration of how blessed we are when we allow God to dwell among us. Not only are we blessed individually, everyone around us gets blessed as well. Why? One persons faith can bring many to repentance. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” - II Timothy 2:24-26.

Upon bring the Ark to Jerusalem David notices one thing, “Why am I dwelling in such a nice house when God dwells within curtains?” David wishes to build God a permanent dwelling place, but God, did not grant his request, stating that his son would build a temple and He will establish His kingdom through him.

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” - II Samuel 7:12-16.

These promises relate to Solomon, David's son, and the royal line of Judah. But they also relate to Christ, who is often called David and the Son of David, whom God gave all power in heaven and earth, with authority to execute judgment. Jesus was sent to build the Gospel temple, a house for God's name, which is the spiritual temple of true believers. God's promise, that He will never put away or remove a believer who has put their faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - I John 5:12,13.

David never forgot about the covenant he made with Jonathan, Saul's son, he inquired whether there was any one left of the house of Saul to whom he could show favor for Jonathan's sake. “Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?..So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.” -II Samuel 9:6-8,13.


David not only restored to him his father's possessions, he also made him a part of the royal table for the rest of his life. Mephibosheth thanked David, humbling himself and comparing himself to a dead dog, which meant that he did not feel worthy to accept all the that David blessed him with. This is a great illustration of the grace of God and how we, whom have come short of the glory of God, receive His gift of eternal life through our king, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” - John 14:1-4. All who call upon Jesus to save them are God's children and are apart of the Kingdom of God. Just like Mephibosheth, we too will have a permanent place setting with our King. Praise God!

Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Ark, where the Spirit of God dwelt. The Spirit of God dwells in every believer. “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” - Galatians 4:6.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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