Extravagant Worship - A Prepared Place

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.’’ (2 Samuel 6:14-15)

“Now David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites carrying the ark, and as were the musicians, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the choirs singing. David also wore a linen ephod.” (I Chronicles 15:27)

An Attempt That Fell Short

In the initial effort to bring the Ark of the Covenant back, an unexpected tragedy dampened the otherwise festive occasion. King David and Israel, and the musicians rejoiced as the Ark of God was transported on a new cart. However, as the cart arrived at the threshing floor, the oxen pulling it stumbled, and in an attempt to prevent the Ark from falling, Uzzah lost his life. This occurrence prompted the suspension of any attempts to bring the Ark home for three months. That day, King David felt mixed emotions, including anger, frustration, and reverence for God. Consequently, he left the Ark at Obed-Edom’s residence for three months.

Obed-Edom, on the other hand, was delighted and blessed abundantly. Here’s a valuable life lesson:  One must realize the significance of welcoming the Lord’s presence in their home, as it can bring numerous blessings.

It’s important to approach God respectfully and intentionally. In today’s world, it can be easy to be casual about things, but we should never forget the significance of God’s presence. It can be unsettling when people come into a worship service and start drinking coffee or chatting because we want to ensure we’re showing God the respect he deserves. After all, the church is a holy place and should be treated differently than going to a football game or the movies. So, it’s vital to take coming into his presence seriously and approach it with a different reverence.

What went wrong?

In the Old Testament, it was uncommon for people to communicate directly with God regarding His will. This was often due to fear that they were not holy enough and would face punishment or because God primarily communicated through His prophets. As such, individuals seeking to know God’s will would consult with a priest or prophet who would act as an intermediary. Sacred objects, such as the ephod, facilitated communication with the Lord daily.

On previous occasions, David often turns to God for guidance and sometimes asks the priest to provide him with the ephod to seek answers from the Lord.  When David would tell the priest to bring him the ephod so that he could inquire from God, he was going to God for himself.  He did not wait for the High Priest to bring back an answer from God.  God spoke directly to David.  David did not tell the High Priest to ask God for him. 

I Samuel 30:7-8 reads, “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David asked the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”

II Samuel 5:19 reads, so David asked the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them to my hands? The Lord answered, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

Upon reviewing both versions of the story, it appears that David failed to seek the Lord’s guidance on transporting the Ark of the Covenant. It is improbable that God would have directed him to use a new cart for this purpose. It is crucial to seek God’s guidance through prayer continually.

Why is David wearing a linen ephod?

Interestingly, David wore a linen ephod, usually worn by priests. One might question why he wore it, especially since he wasn’t a priest and only the Levites were allowed to make sacrifices. Additionally, it’s worth exploring the events three months before the second attempt to transport the Ark to Jerusalem.

Considering these events, one would wonder. What happened within the three months that made David comfortable bringing the ark home?  Why was he now comfortable operating in a role typically ordained for a priest?  The Bible only tells us that upon hearing that the house of Obed-Edom was blessed because the presence of the Lord was there. When David heard this, he decided to bring the ark home.

The Ark has finally returned to Jerusalem.

Three months later, King David led the people of Israel and the priests and musicians in a grand celebration. They danced with all their might before the Lord, and according to the Bible, the Lord assisted the Levites in carrying the cart by granting them the strength to bear its weight on their shoulders. David brought the Ark of God home with a grand celebration, not as the king of Israel but as a humble servant. This time, the Israelites followed the Lord’s commands and carried the ark on poles, rejoicing every step of the way. David also joined in the jubilant praise and worship, offering sacrifices and dancing in a linen ephod. The entire nation of Israel celebrated as the Ark of the Covenant returned home.

When King David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem, it could have been done in a rigid formal ceremony.  The Bible says, “When those carrying the Ark of the Lord had taken six steps… a sacrifice of a bull and a fattened calf” was offered before the Lord.  If you think about it, King David could have allowed the priests to make the sacrifices as the Ark of the Covenant came into Israel while walking alongside or behind them.  Sacrificing animals in the Old Testament was not a beautiful site.  So, imagine making an animal sacrifice every six steps as the ark returned to Jerusalem; this was no minor task. 

On the day he brought the Ark of God home, he did so as a minister of the Lord, not as the king of Israel. It is worth noting that he was a servant of the Lord before he became king.

As I sought to understand why David wore a linen ephod while dancing before the Lord, I searched through various commentaries but found no satisfying answer. However, I felt a strong impression from the Lord that David’s actions represented a new kind of high priest, offering himself as a living sacrifice. In Romans 12:1, we are urged to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is our true and proper worship. David embodied this kind of worship, unashamedly giving his whole heart and body to the Lord.

He was not concerned with people’s opinions or the expectations of tradition. May we be inspired by David’s example to offer ourselves fully in worship to our God. David told Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” (II Samuel 6:22)

David was responsible for arranging the placement of the Ark of the Covenant, but during King Saul’s reign, it was ignored and forgotten. This shows a stark difference between King Saul and King David, particularly regarding the Ark of the Covenant. Saul chose to neglect both God and the Ark, as evident from the fact that he only mentioned it once (1 Sam. 14:18) during his forty-year reign, and that too only when he needed divine intervention to defeat his enemy.

David felt it was his duty to construct a tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant. Even though he knew he was not the one destined to build it, he believed it was essential to prepare a proper place for the divine artifact. After seeking God’s guidance, he was informed that building the tabernacle was not his task, but he did not let this deter him from his mission. Instead, he ensured that his son, Solomon, had everything he needed to make a magnificent tabernacle.

David understood that seeking God’s guidance was the right course of action and did not hesitate. His humility and dedication to serving the Lord paved the way for Solomon to build the tabernacle that, symbolized God’s presence among the people. David’s example serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of seeking God’s guidance in all that we do.

I’ve heard this message my whole life: “Is offering burnt sacrifices as pleasing to the Lord as obeying Him? Obeying is better than sacrificing.”  As believers, it’s important to follow God’s teachings and not just offer Him gifts in our way. Jesus emphasized this when He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands” (John 14:15). The Israelites in the Old Testament were instructed to bring their best offerings to the Lord and follow His Law.

“Obedience + Offering + Sacrifice = Worship,” I wrote this in the margins of my Bible.

David demonstrated his love for God by giving his best and constructing a sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the Lord’s presence.

In an upcoming blog, I will delve into the significance of the ephod in the Old Testament as a means of seeking guidance and answers from God. We must turn to Him for direction before making any significant decisions in life.