What kind of policies will this government follow?

            David doesn't leave them waiting long to find out.

                 His dynasty is set on following Yahweh.

DAVID'S ACCEPTANCE 11-12

    His rise to power 11:1-3

After Saul’s death, the people support David.

He’s the only logical choice.

The people give two main reasons to follow him as their king:

            1) 11:2a   They recognize his leadership and military skill

                     He has already proven his ability to lead the armies of Israel.

                         He accomplished more on the battlefield than Saul did!

The Philistines are still at hand.

The new king will have to deal with this powerful enemy.

            2) 11:2b   God has chosen him to lead His people

                     Samuel has named him.

                     It’s evident that God is with him.

He has been appointed shepherd to care for God's people

                         and to lead them.

                     Therefore, the people unite to follow him.

            They anoint him king.

As their leaders make a covenant with David they’re aware they’re doing so before Yahweh, according to the Word Samuel revealed to them (3).

Rather than emphasize the obstacles David has to overcome,

Chronicles emphasizes

                 the result of the process God uses to put His king on the throne

and how He blesses David's reign because of His submission to God's authority.

        The nation rallies together around their new king. 11:1

    His capital city 11:4-9

        When he becomes king, he has to accomplish two major jobs:

            1) He has to establish a capital city for the nation

            2) He has to name a new head of the army.

These two tasks combine during the battle against the Jebusites (Jebus).

            Joab goes up first and becomes their chief. 11:6

David’s kingdom advances and grows. 11:7-9

David isn't motivated by the desire for personal glory,

                 but by the desire for God's glory.

            It’s evident that God is with Him.

    His valiant men 11:10-12:40

        David never could have accomplished his great victories alone.

He surrounds himself with brave men who want to follow him and serve his God.

These heroes are identified because of . . .

            . . . their participation in the establishment of the kingdom

. . . their loyalty to David and to Yahweh.

Reading the tribute to these brave men makes us aware that . . .

            . . . they don't triumph because of superior military ability,

            . . . they triumph because of God’s presence with them. 11:14

They’re ready to fight for David and for their country,

            but even more important, their heart is right. 12:18, 38

They understand the times and know what Israel ought to do. 12:32

God’s blessing is obvious, even in their initial military endeavors,

                 because these men have decided to follow God.

            Therefore, the people enjoy prosperity, blessing and joy. 11:40

GOD BLESSES THE VALIANT MEN

BECAUSE THEY COME WITH A HEART THAT WAS RIGHT,

SEEKING GOD'S HELP.

DAVID'S KINGDOM 13-29

    DAVID AND THE ARK 13-16

The most important element in David’s success as king is his attitude toward God.

         This attitude is revealed in three areas:

            1) His attitude concerning the ark of God (13-16),

            2) His attitude concerning the covenant with God (17-20)

            3) His attitude concerning the temple of God (21-29:21)

After taking control of the nation and establishing a new capital,

            David gives top priority to promoting the proper worship of God.

        He realizes that in order to accomplish that they need the ark back.

DAVID'S DESIRE TO GIVE GOD FIRST PLACE

in the sight of the people

IS DEMONSTRATED BY HIS ZEAL FOR THE ARK

    David’s zeal for the ark 13:1-8 1-4

From the start of Saul's reign they haven't paid attention to the ark (3).

The lack of God’s blessing, and the defeat at the hands of the Philistines,

are the result of this negligence.

The absence of the ark is a symptom of the people’s attitude

            They aren’t paying attention to God.

David realizes that it will take more than his effort to bring the ark to Jerusalem.

His efforts alone will only make this the king's religion, not the people’s.

They must unite the people behind the cause so that together they might give proper importance to the ark, and to God's presence among them which the ark represents.

David unites the nation with enthusiasm to bring back the ark (13:1-6).

David wants to turn the people’s attention back to God.

            The ark is the best vehicle to accomplish his purpose.

Like Israel, we need to turn from the "business-as-usual syndrome"

                     to a conscious awareness of God's presence with us!

    David’s reverence toward the ark 13:9-14

        David wants to be sure of God's will regarding this task.

                 However, there’s one little problem in their plan.

Throughout the story, the author seems to indicate that

        God approves of David's desire to restore the ark.

            Since he is seeking God's will, no prophet opposes the plan.

The problem: they overlook the fact that

            God's plans aren’t accomplished by human strategies.

David prepares a new cart to carry the ark to Jerusalem. (7-8)

This isn't how God told them to transport the ark Exod. 25:10-14 13-14

                 Num. 4 indicates the Levites are supposed to carry the ark.

Before they move it far, the caravan is stopped by a tragic accident. (9-10)

The oxen stumble and nearly dump their precious cargo.

                         Uzzah, one of David's followers, reaches out to steady the load.

When he touches the ark, he disobeys God's law and is struck dead.

                     At first David is really upset. He’s angry with God. (11)

                         -Then he becomes fearful. (12)

By this experience he learns that even when he has the right motive,

                 God’s ark must be handled God’s way.

                     –according to the rules God has established.

David leaves the ark in the house of Obed-edom for three months, while he goes to arrange everything so the ark can be transported properly. (13-14)

As a result, Yahweh blesses that house, because of the care they show toward the ark.

    David’s fame and victory 14

Due to David's faithfulness and his desire to please Him,

        God gives David victory over his enemies. 14:2

Instead of bragging about his victory,

        David gives God glory: "God has broken through my enemies ..." 14:11

In contrast to Saul, David destroys everything left behind that could tempt them

                 to worship pagan gods. 14:12

David consults God at each step and obeys all God told him 14:10, 14, 16

God blesses David and his power and fame continue to grow 14:17

    The ark's journey 15

David organizes the Levites to take the ark to the capital and issues strict orders concerning how they’re to handle it so as to conform to the Mosaic law.

        David insists on doing it God’s way!

This time it’s carried by sons of Kohath, whose job it is to carry the ark (Num. 4:1-6); other Levites and priests help too (15:1-11).

David insists that participants sanctify themselves before going near it (15:12-14).

Instead of his cart, this time they use God's method:

                 they carry it on their shoulders (15:15).

David isn't going to let anything ruin this trip

            by causing another tragedy along the way.

The people respond correctly and take the ark joyfully to Jerusalem (15:25-28).

                     In the midst of the joy, one dark cloud obscures the picture:

        Michal's negative attitude. 15:29

Although she is David's wife, when she sees the celebration, and David's conduct, she despises him–she hates him!

The author doesn't identify her as David's wife, but Saul's daughter.

Why would her ancestry be more significant than her marriage to the king?

                     Remember that Saul was the king chosen by the people.

He evidences traits the world looks for in a leader;

                         his attitudes are like a successful king among pagan nations.

Saul fails as king over God's people

                 because he isn’t committed to pleasing God and glorifying Him.

                     With regard to this attitude, Michal shows her natural heritage.

Instead of joining the people of God in their celebration of the return of the authentic worship of Yahweh, she complains about David's behavior.

David strips himself of his royal garments and dresses like common people participating in the celebration

                              –not calling attention to HIS royal position.

David commits himself to restore the ark and worshiping Yahweh.

            David is committed to glorify God by praising Him.

His attitude is reflected in words of Jim Elliot: "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Paul says: "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Col. 3:17

            From Michal's perspective this is foolishness.

Therefore she despises the king after God's own heart

                     and suffers the consequences of her disrespectful attitude.

To the people of this world, to put God in first place and give yourself totally to Him and to His praise is foolishness.

The daughter of Saul–king the world chose–shares this attitude with her father.

                     The world around us sees praising God that way too!

We are to have a different attitude-the same as David's.

                         Top priority for us should be to glorify and to praise God.

                              We should stand out as different because we live to praise Him!

    David’s celebration because of the ark 16

The people follow their king; they worship God and offer sacrifices to Him.

Renewed awareness of God's presence

            drives God’s people to worship Him.

        They remember what He has done for them and praise Him.

There’s joy because the ark is back in its place again

At the end of the feast David gives a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a raisin cake to all the people.

The significance is more than just food for a feast.

                     In the Near East they symbolized fertility and prosperity.

David communicates that bringing the ark to its proper place

                     indicates the start of a new epoch of blessing and prosperity.

If they continue to fulfill God's demands, they will experience His blessing.

They spend the rest of the day remembering, acknowledging the blessings of God and praising Him for them (16:4-36)

Among the memories and praise,

                 David presents a psalm to affirm that Yahweh is God;

                     He should be the only one in their midst.

David wants God’s people to worship God

                 and give Him first place.

                     As they acknowledge Him they should

                         (1) seek Him;

                         (2) worship Him;

                         (3) proclaim His glory before all the nations of the world.

This is the same purpose we have in celebrating the Lord's table:

                         to remind us of what God has done for us.

                         to acknowledge that before the world around us

                         to cause us to seek Him

                         to cause us to worship Him

                         to cause us to proclaim His glory to all the nations of the world

David wants them to carry out all the law demands of God's people

                 He wants them to glorify God appropriately.

J.S. Whale writes of the danger of reducing theology to an intellectual exercise: "Instead of putting off our shoes from our feet because the place whereon we stand is holy ground, we are taking nice photographs of the burning bush from suitable angles. We are chatting about theories of the atonement with our feet on the mantelpiece, instead of kneeling down before the wounds of Christ."

WE too must learn to worship God appropriately

            and to give Him first place in OUR lives.

                 In order to accomplish his purpose:

David brings the ark to Jerusalem to establish the worship system

                     He directs them in an act of public worship

He leaves them a psalm to remind them of all that God has done for them.

He wants people to recognize God as the only God and worship Him in truth.

4 LESSONS FOR OUR LIFE, that we learn from David’s example:

    1) PUT GOD IN THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE; GIVE HIM FIRST PLACE

            Are you "a man (or a woman) after God's own heart?

            Do you desire to please Him more than anything else in life?

    2) SEEK GOD'S WILL FIRST-IN EACH STEP YOU TAKE

    3) (Even when you're sure you know His will, be sure to)

        CARRY OUT THE PLAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORD

Determine that whatever you do, you’re going to do it GOD'S WAY!

    4) (Even in the midst of doing important tasks for Him)

        TAKE TIME TO WORSHIP GOD

            David the great warrior, was also the great worshiper.

                 Worship isn’t about going through the right motions–that’s ritualism.

                     That’s Tradition! That’s what the Pharisees were about!

                 Worship isn’t about style.

David was willing to make a fool of himself–as long as GOD is glorified!

                 Worship isn’t about fancy buildings or fancy dress.

                 Worship isn’t about our beautiful voices or perfect oratory.

                  Worship is an attitude that acknowledges God’s worth.

                     It recognizes His right to rule our lives.

                     It gives Him first place in our lives.

            That’s what David was about! It was more important than anything else to him!

        Like David, WE could use a shrine-a place-an ark

            –that calls our attention to God’s presence with us.

                 Not because God dwells in, or is limited to, any earthly place

                 But because we need to be consciously aware of His presence

                     Both for negative and positive reasons:

                         Neg.-to avoid sin.

                         Pos.-to motivate us to trust Him and to live for Him daily.

        We may not be called on to be great warriors, as David was.

            But God is more concerned that we be identified as great WORSHIPERS!