Year 1, Week 37, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 37, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Samuel 6; Psalm 105, 132.

Today’s reading includes Samuel’s account of the Ark being brought into Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6 parallels what is covered in 1 Chronicles 13, 15-16. While the Chronicler’s account is consistent with what is stated in 2 Samuel, the two accounts also differ. However, their differences are not contradictory. The two accounts each reflect what each account needed to uniquely emphasize. Psalm 105, while is does not provide any historical context as a preface, does relate to the Ark arriving in Jerusalem as 1 Chronicles 16 records a portion of this Psalm as that which was sung (specifically, 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 notes Psalm 105:1-15): “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:1-4). Psalm 132 is in the Song of Ascents collection. The Songs of Ascents were a collection of Psalms that were sung by those who journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. However, some of the themes of Psalm 132 have relevance to when the Ark entered Jerusalem. A portion of Psalm 132 is later used by Solomon in reference to the Ark arriving in Jerusalem during David’s reign: “Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy. For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one” (Psalm 132:8-10, also 2 Chronicles 6:41-42).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the portrayal of King David in something of a priestly role: “The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!…The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:2,4). In the Mosaic Law, the role of king and the role of priest were separate offices. The priests would come from the tribe of Levi, while the tribe of Judah would supply a Davidic King. Back in Abraham’s time, the somewhat mysterious Melchizedek was both a king and a priest: “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)” (Genesis 14:18). While King David was never officially described as a priest, nor did he ever formally serve as a priest, there are several descriptions that are priestly as David is bringing the Ark into Jerusalem.

The priestly imagery surrounding David is first seen in his wearing an ephod and offering sacrifices: “David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod” (2 Samuel 6:12b-14). David wore an ephod, which was a priestly garment: “Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests…Then you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod” (Exodus 29:1,5). As the Ark journeyed from Obed-Edom’s house to Jerusalem, David made priestly sacrifices along the way. David was performing priestly activities as he performed the sacrificing of ox and fattened calf.

David continued performing priestly activities after the Ark was placed inside the Tabernacle: “And they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place…And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.” (2 Samuel 6:17). The Aaronic Priests were to take command of the offerings: “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering…And the priest shall put on his linen garment and put his linen undergarment on his body, and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire has reduced the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar” (Leviticus 6:8-10). Then David blessed the people and distributed bread and cakes: “And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one” (2 Samuel 6:18-19). Like a priest, David blessed the people while he distributed food: “At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day” (Deuteronomy 10:8). I do not think David was rebelling or overstepping his role; he was displaying that he was a king who had a true heart for the LORD—the kind of heart that priests were to have.

David was portrayed as a priest-king. This is similar to Melchizedek, the King of Salem who was also a priest of the Most High God. But these connections should not seem too strange, for Jesus, who was from the human line of David, and therefore the ultimate fulfillment of the promise that David’s dynasty would be everlasting, is also described as a priest from the order of Melchizedek: “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:9-10). While David’s status as a priest-king is subtle, Jesus’ status as a priest-king is more clearer to grasp. David’s preview hints as to what would be explicit in Jesus.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe