Details

O. T. #902    "Details"
January 11, 2017
1 Chronicles 15
And David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the Ark of God and pitched a tent for it. (1 Chronicles 5:1 NIV)

LET IT GLOW

Details. It's the little things that matter. Seems like I have heard that. For sure, David did not seek God's details, but rushed in and moved the Ark, but with consequences.

This chapter is a continuation of chapter 13 where David made his first attempt to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. During the transportation of the Ark on a new cart, a man died when he touched it as he tried to prevent it from falling off the cart. This resulted in David leaving it at the house of Obededom for 3 months. Within that time, David asked how God wanted it transported.

David found the answer as we read back in Number 4. The sons of Kohath (Levi's son) were given specific instructions of taking down the Tabernacle and moving the Ark-gold poles through the rings on the two sides of the Ark were to be carried upon the Levites' shoulders.

Verse 1 tells us David prepared a palace for him(his housing project) and another tent instead of bringing the Mosiac Tabernacle to Jerusalem. We don't know why-perhaps the Philistines had destroyed it.

*Warning: The following can be lengthy and in depth, so if you are not into genealogy, skip this part and take my word for it that these two priests were related to Aaron, a Levite. :)

What did David do prior to moving the Ark the second time?

• He gathered all of Israel together. (verse 3)
• David informed them that the Levites were chosen by God to carry the Ark. (verse 2)
• He assembled the children of Aaron (high priest and great grandson of Levi) and the Levites (tribe God chose as priests). There were 862 Levites from 6 families.
• To help us better understand why some of those men were listed here, Levi's 3 sons were Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
• It was the clan of Kohath that the descendants came-Zadok and Abiathar. This is how: Kohath had 4 sons-Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Does the name Amram ring a bell?
• Amram was the father of Aaron and Moses (sister Miriam too).

Being curious as to how Zadok and Abiathar fit in the family of Levites, I had to do some research. I found that Aaron had 4sons-Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire to God and died. That left Eleazar and Ithamar. It was through these two men that our two named priest came.
Zadok was the great-great grandson of Eleazar and Abiathar was the great-great-great-great grandson of Ithamar. Whew! Now we know.

So what is the big deal about moving the Ark to Jerusalem? It was the symbol of God's presence.

J. Vernon McGee said, "God is interested in the worship of His people. The Ark was the very heart and center of the worship for Israel. This is where God puts the emphasis. Crowning the Ark was the Mercy Seat. That is the place where God met His people."

David got his focus on the right thing-God's Word. When we get away from His Word, we tend to not do things God's way.

Folks, we are all in need of a place where we receive mercy from God because we sin. Jesus Christ is the Mercy Seat for us and intercedes on our behalf to God. (1 John 2:1-2)


LET IT GROW

Before the priests moved the Ark, they had to sanctify themselves in preparation.(verse 12)
It was a ceremonial sanctification whereas they washed body and clothing and avoided defilement (Exodus 19).
Verse 17-19 lists the Levites that were musicians, who accompanied the procession to get the Ark. There were 4 groups of musicians. Seven priests blew the trumpet and preceded the Ark. David had a brass band, the orchestra, and singers. What a parade.
Two sets of doorkeepers were included in the marchers-2 in front to open the door and 2 behind to close it, possibly. (verse 24)


If you unlock the doors of the church or lock things up, your position is important.
God is interested in the details. He established them for the Ark and expected them to be followed. Similarly, He expects us to follow His instructions to us.

When God gives specific instructions, it is wise to follow them precisely. Even though we may not understand them, obedience is far better than disobedience.

LET IT GO

Stay faithful in doing what God has instructed me to do.

Ask Him before I move on my own path.

Seek mercy when I fail.