Praise of David: On Bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion
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The event of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion is a significant moment in the biblical narrative, marked by King David's exuberant praise and worship. This event is recorded in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 15-16, where David's actions and the accompanying celebrations underscore the importance of the Ark as the symbol of God's presence among His people.

Historical Context

The Ark of the Covenant, constructed during the time of Moses, was the most sacred object in Israelite worship, representing God's covenant with Israel and His divine presence. After being captured by the Philistines and subsequently returned, the Ark remained at the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim for many years (1 Samuel 7:1-2). David, upon becoming king and establishing Jerusalem as his capital, sought to bring the Ark to Zion, the City of David, to centralize worship and affirm God's sovereignty over the nation.

David's Procession and Worship

David's initial attempt to transport the Ark was marred by tragedy when Uzzah touched the Ark and was struck dead by God for his irreverence (2 Samuel 6:6-7). This incident highlighted the holiness of God and the necessity of approaching Him with reverence and obedience to His commands. After a period of reflection and preparation, David successfully brought the Ark to Zion with great celebration.

The procession was marked by David's unrestrained worship. Clad in a linen ephod, David danced before the Lord with all his might, accompanied by the sound of trumpets, lyres, harps, tambourines, and cymbals (2 Samuel 6:14-15; 1 Chronicles 15:28). This act of worship was both a personal expression of David's devotion and a public declaration of God's kingship over Israel.

Psalm of Thanksgiving

Upon the Ark's arrival in Jerusalem, David appointed Asaph and his brothers to minister before the Ark, and he delivered a psalm of thanksgiving, which is recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. This psalm is a composite of several psalms found in the Book of Psalms, including Psalm 105, 96, and 106. It calls the people to give thanks to the Lord, proclaim His deeds, and remember His covenant:

"Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice" (1 Chronicles 16:8-10).

The psalm emphasizes God's faithfulness, His mighty acts, and His enduring covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It invites all creation to join in worship, acknowledging the Lord's sovereignty and righteousness.

Michal's Disdain

David's wife Michal, the daughter of Saul, observed David's display of worship and despised him in her heart (2 Samuel 6:16). Her reaction serves as a contrast to David's wholehearted devotion. When confronted by Michal, David responded that his actions were before the Lord, who had chosen him to lead Israel. He declared his willingness to humble himself even further in worship (2 Samuel 6:21-22).

Theological Significance

The event of bringing the Ark to Zion and David's accompanying praise highlight several theological themes. It underscores the centrality of God's presence in the life of His people and the importance of worship that is both reverent and joyful. David's actions demonstrate a heart fully devoted to God, willing to set aside personal dignity for the sake of honoring the Lord.

Moreover, this event foreshadows the establishment of Jerusalem as the spiritual center of Israel and the eventual building of the Temple by Solomon, David's son. It also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence with His people through Jesus Christ, who is both the true King and the embodiment of God's covenant promises.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Chronicles 16:8-36
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Temple and Its Dedication
... In bringing to the temple the sacred ark containing the two ... Solomon had followed
the example of his father David. ... Let them praise Thy great and terrible name; ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God ... as at once of the lineage
of David according to ... It supposes bringing into a state of good agreement ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... If the wrath of man is made to praise the Lord, then ... All men are liars," said David;
and he ... of weaning us from the visible and the tangible, and bringing us to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... and meat-offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of ... and not in the letter;
whose praise is not ... Thus, before the Lord, David walked in integrity of heart ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Blair -- the Hour and the Event of all Time
... the altar as an innocent victim; if David was driven ... making "the wrath of man to
praise him"; obliging ... of Satan, all to concur, either in bringing forward this ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/blair the hour and.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... these kings in chains.' It is matter of the highest praise and thanksgiving ... As David
took a lamb out of the lion's mouth (1 Samuel 17 ... (3) The bringing of Israel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

The Sermon of the Seasons
... shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves ... Our young people
praise God for day, with its ... and night are seen, the Son of David shall reign ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the sermon of the seasons.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... warring against the law of his mind, and bringing him into ... David was a man after
God's own heart, and his lips ... we may blush and reply that such praise is more ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... hand of God is ever active in bringing this promise ... fulfilled the other words: "Thy
brethren shall praise thee, the ... Lion of God), the city where David encamped ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... was succeeded by a long war, before David was acknowledged ... cleaning-up process on
earth, and the bringing in of ... a great outburst of worship and praise in heaven ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

Resources
Why is praising God important? | GotQuestions.org

What are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship? | GotQuestions.org

What are the heavenly hosts? | GotQuestions.org

Praise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Praise

Praise and Worship

Praise Dancing

Praise for God's Attributes

Praise for God's Goodness to Individuals

Praise for God's Goodness to Righteous Men

Praise in Heaven

Praise is a Part of Public Worship

Praise is Due to God on Account of all Spiritual Blessings

Praise is Due to God on Account of all Temporal Blessings

Praise is Due to God on Account of Answering Prayer

Praise is Due to God on Account of Constant Preservation

Praise is Due to God on Account of Deliverance

Praise is Due to God on Account of Fulfilling of his Promises

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Consolation

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Counsel

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Excellency

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Faithfulness and Truth

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Glory

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Goodness

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Greatness

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Holiness

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Judgment

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Loving-Kindness and Truth

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Majesty

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Mercy

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Power

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Salvation

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Wisdom

Praise is Due to God on Account of His Wonderful Works

Praise is Due to God on Account of Pardon of Sin

Praise is Due to God on Account of Protection

Praise is Due to God on Account of Spiritual Health

Praise is Due to God on Account of The Continuance of Blessings

Praise is Due to God on Account of The Hope of Glory

Praise is Good and Comely

Praise is Obligatory Upon: All Creation

Praise is Obligatory Upon: All Men

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Angels

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Children

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Gentiles

Praise is Obligatory Upon: High and Low

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Saints

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Small and Great

Praise is Obligatory Upon: Young and Old

Praise of David: At the Close of his Reign

Praise of David: Celebrating his Deliverance from the Hand of Saul

Praise of David: On Bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Zion

Praise of Deborah, After Defeating the Canaanites

Praise of Hannah

Praise of Miriam

Praise: Acceptable Through Christ

Praise: Accompanied With Musical Instruments

Praise: Anna

Praise: Called The: Calves of the Lips

Praise: Called The: Fruit of the Lips

Praise: Called The: Garment of Praise

Praise: Called The: Sacrifice of Praise

Praise: Called The: Sacrifices of Joy

Praise: Called The: Voice of a Psalm

Praise: Called The: Voice of Melody

Praise: Called The: Voice of Praise

Praise: Called The: Voice of Triumph

Praise: Christ is Worthy of

Praise: David

Praise: Disciples

Praise: Ezra

Praise: First Converts

Praise: God is Glorified By

Praise: God is Worthy of

Praise: Hezekiah

Praise: Israelites

Praise: Jethro

Praise: Lame Man

Praise: Melchizedek

Praise: Moses

Praise: Multitudes

Praise: Offered to Christ

Praise: Paul and Silas

Praise: Priests and Levites

Praise: Psalms of, for God's Goodness to Israel

Praise: Saints should be Endued With the Spirit of

Praise: Saints should Declare

Praise: Saints should Express Their Joy By

Praise: Saints should Glory In

Praise: Saints should Invite Others To

Praise: Saints should Posture Suited To

Praise: Saints should Pray for Ability to offer

Praise: Saints should Render, Under Affliction

Praise: Saints should Show Forth

Praise: Saints should Triumph In

Praise: Shepherds

Praise: should be offered for Ever and Ever

Praise: should be offered in Psalms and Hymns

Praise: should be offered with Gladness

Praise: should be offered with Joy

Praise: should be offered with Thankfulness

Praise: should be offered with the Lips

Praise: should be offered with the Mouth

Praise: should be offered with the Soul

Praise: should be offered with the Understanding

Praise: should be offered with the Whole Heart

Praise: should be offered with Uprightness of Heart

Praise: should be offered: Continually

Praise: should be offered: Day and Night

Praise: should be offered: Day by Day

Praise: should be offered: During Life

Praise: should be offered: More and More

Praise: should be offered: Throughout the World

Praise: Simeon

Praise: Song of Moses, After the Passage Through the Red Sea

Praise: The Apostles

Praise: The Chorus when Solomon Brought the Ark of the Covenant Into the Temple

Praise: The Heavenly Host Engage In

Praise: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Praise: Zacharias

Related Terms

Praise-offering (5 Occurrences)

Praise-offerings (2 Occurrences)

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Extol (23 Occurrences)

Praising (35 Occurrences)

Praises (66 Occurrences)

Renown (24 Occurrences)

Corded (37 Occurrences)

Commend (22 Occurrences)

Melody (55 Occurrences)

Psaltery (17 Occurrences)

Doxology

Comely (32 Occurrences)

Endureth (63 Occurrences)

Despair (23 Occurrences)

Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)

Thank (68 Occurrences)

Recount (39 Occurrences)

Endures (75 Occurrences)

Praised (101 Occurrences)

Sing (147 Occurrences)

Verse (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

Throng (21 Occurrences)

Tambourine (8 Occurrences)

Timbrel (7 Occurrences)

Tambour (7 Occurrences)

Ruling (123 Occurrences)

Expanse (18 Occurrences)

Door-keepers (34 Occurrences)

Desire (565 Occurrences)

Disquieted (13 Occurrences)

Dancing (21 Occurrences)

Magnify (25 Occurrences)

Moanest (3 Occurrences)

Puff (1 Occurrence)

Coastlands (29 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Commendation (2 Occurrences)

Revere (26 Occurrences)

Sea-lands (24 Occurrences)

Bent (107 Occurrences)

Approval (75 Occurrences)

Disturbed (30 Occurrences)

Skies (36 Occurrences)

Fitting (29 Occurrences)

Excellent (52 Occurrences)

Men's (76 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Cymbals (15 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Dance (18 Occurrences)

Exalt (56 Occurrences)

Mention (41 Occurrences)

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Adoration

Blowing (31 Occurrences)

Awesome (47 Occurrences)

Celebrate (66 Occurrences)

Marvelous (30 Occurrences)

Music-maker (55 Occurrences)

Vows (38 Occurrences)

Psalm (213 Occurrences)

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Starting (34 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Evildoers (46 Occurrences)

Confess (65 Occurrences)

Singers (41 Occurrences)

Silence (80 Occurrences)

Singing (65 Occurrences)

Acrostic (2 Occurrences)

Matter (263 Occurrences)

Shouting (83 Occurrences)

Keeping (282 Occurrences)

Tobit

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Musician (112 Occurrences)

Praise of David: Celebrating his Deliverance from the Hand of Saul
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