I will become
even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes (2 Samuel 6:22).
Today’s reading
starts with David, already having been recognized as the King of Judah, now
being installed as the King of all Israel. Not everyone is united behind David
– there are still those loyal to the house of Saul, who will cause trouble for
Solomon in later years.
Then David conquers
Jerusalem which will become known as the City of David, and was not included in
the inheritance of any tribe. Much like Washington D.C. is not part of any
state, Jerusalem was David’s and no one else’s. In his History of Israel, John
Bright applauds David’s genius in
choosing neutral ground for the spiritual and political center of Israel [5].
Finally, after
battling the Philistines, David establishes Zion, the new tent of worship to
house the Ark of the Covenant. Notice his undignified display of
worship before the Lord. A while back my Associate Pastor Garth Hamilton chose
Undignified as his fantastic title for a sermon based on this passage – wish
I’d thought of that.
I can’t get over
David’s proclamation: I will be humiliated in my own eyes. David
refused to attenuate his worship to make other people comfortable. His worship
was for God’s pleasure – not to enhance his own status. David didn’t care what
other people thought. He was a worshiper.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
When did what other people
think become so important? No one starts out that way. When did things change
for you?
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