2 Samuel 6:17
“They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord.”
The ark is home. It doesn't appear that Saul made sacrifices and worship an important part of national practices. He knew he was acting contrary to God's wishes by being on the throne. Samuel told him that God would tear the kingdom from him and give it to another. That's why he wanted David killed, he was to be the new king. If being right with God was important to Saul, he should have stepped down and sought God's favor.
David is sending the message to all that God is to be their lord and sacrifices are to be initiated. This is leadership. The country was like a rudderless ship when it came to God and obedience to Him. Were the commandments foremost in their minds? Were they remembered? The concept of sin and sacrifice may not have been. David’s actions bring all that to front and center.
How were the people behaving? If the commandments weren’t at the fore of their minds, then more selfishly. God tells us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God, (a paraphrase from Micah 6:8). By bringing the ark back David is reminding all about this.
The prior verse had David dancing and singing before the ark. He is bringing back God in a joyful way. This is major. When we come to Christ we need help and salvation. We aren’t real sure all we are getting into. There is some apprehension and anxiety. However, as we get to know Him it’s very different.
We begin to learn that He loves us and that we can trust Him. Matthew 11:29 shares an amazing verse from Jesus, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” He is gentle and humble. That shatters the notion of the angry god that wants more. I couldn’t do enough. I never thought, “Would a loving god expect this of me?” He is also patient. He understands more than anyone that our stress and anxiety is troublesome.
David knows this about God and he wants the people to follow God in a joyful way. What a major improvement in the country if this were to be. People’s petty squabbles would decrease. Helping the poor would increase and so on.
Lord, thank You for David and his example. He loved You greatly and wanted the people to have that same relationship. May our land return to fear You as well.