The Throne of David, Treatise · Section 18
II. SAM. Chap. 6. from the 1 verſ. to the 17. and 1 CHRON. 13.
IN this Chapter is ſet down after Davids eſtabliſhment in his Kingdome, and victories over his Enemies his Religious diſpoſition, and teſtimony of his thankfullneſſe to God by fetching the Arke of God from Kiriath Iearim to his houſe now in Sion, and the ſeverall paſſages that fell out therein, which Hiſtory is likewiſe ſet down, 1 Chron. 13. This generall argument of the reduction of the Ark from Kiriath Iearim & houſe of Aminadab, which all the time of Sauls raign had been neglected, is divided in two heads. The one is Davids care to eſtabliſh it in his houſe at Sion, the ſecond is the impediment that hindred the ſame for a time, with his proſecution of his godly intention afterward, till he brought it to perfection.
But before we proceed it is neceſſary that we ſpeak ſomewhat of this Arke it ſelf, what it was, how it is called, and what was the uſe, and ſignification thereof. As for the firſt it was a cheſt of Shittim, or fine wood, overlaid within and without with gold, as we ſee, Exod. 25. 10. &c. The cover whereof was called the propitiatory, whereon ſtood two Cherubims of Gold, looking and ſtreatching their wings one towards another, and wherein was kept the two tables of the Law, Aarons rod that flouriſhed, and the pot of Manna. 2. It was called (as vers 2.) by the name of the Lord of hoſtes; being onelyonly a ſign of his preſence, where we ſee by way of Sacramentall ſpeeches, the ſigne getting the name of the thing ſignified, as circumciſion is called the covenant, and the Lamb the Paſſover, as likewiſe Baptiſme the Laver of regeneration, and the bread in the Lords Supper Chriſts body &c. 3. The uſe thereof was to repreſent Gods preſence with his people, and from between the Cherubims to declare his will and oracles. 4. The ſignification thereof was. 1. It was the keeper of the Tables and Teſtimony: and ſo is Chriſts Church the keeper of the Scriptures, to them the oracles of God being committed, and the ſame being the Pillar of truth. 2. In it was alſo the pot of Manna and Aarons …od, and ſo is the ſpiritual food of Doctrine, Sacraments and true exerciſe of Diſcipline i… Chriſts Church. 3. The propitiatory covered the Arke, and ſ… doth Chriſt our propitiation his Church by protection, an… covering of all their defects and infirmities. 4. God manifeſted hi… preſence with the Arke, and ſo doth he ever with his Church 5. The Cherubims ſtood above it continually, and ſo doth th… Angels as miniſtring Spirits,b. 1. 14. attending the ſame. 6. The oracle… of God were heard from this onelyonly,Job. 10. 4. and ſo is his voyce to be heard in his true Church onelyonly. 7. it was moveable ever in the Wilderneſſe, till at laſt it was ſetled in Solomons Temple, and ſo is the Church reſtles in this World till it reſt at laſt from its labours in Heaven, Rev. 14. 13.
Now the firſt beginning of this Religious work in reforming Religion and ſetling his Arke in Sion, who had ſetled him in his Kingdome, he takes it from a publicke aſſembly of 30000. of the choſen men of Iſrael, with whom he deliberates, and whom for the better and more ſolemne performance he aſſociates, like a prudent, as well as a pious Prince. But in the performance and bringing of the Arke from its place where it was, the commandement of God is not remembred, which was that the Levits ſhould carry it on their ſhoulders, but they imitate the example of the Philiſtines, 1 Sam. 6. Who ſent it back on a cart drawn by beaſts, which ſeems to be the fault of the Levi…s; who gave themſelves too much herein to their own eaſe. And David and all who were with him, expreſt great Spirituall joy in the performance of this Religious enterpriſe, but becauſe, though it was bonum, yet not bene performed, therefore their joy is turned quickly into matter of grief, and mourning, by the ſudden death of Ʋzzah without warrant for taking hold of the Arke, when it ſeemed to ſtumble and fall, being ſhaken by the oxen that bore it, which as it greeved David, ſo it greatly feared him to bring the Arke at that time any further to his own houſe at Sion, and therefore carried it aſide to the houſe of Obed-Edom where it remained three moneths, during which time David hearing that the Lord had bleſſed the houſe of Obed-Edom, his fear thereby being removed, he was encouraged to attempt of new the perfecting of what he formerly intended, and to bring from thence the Arke to his own houſe in Sion, which accordingly he performed with all …olemnity and expreſſions of joy and gladneſſe, and offering of ſacrifices to the Lord.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. DAvid now being eſtabliſhed in his Kingdome & enjoying peace, he applies his minde to the eſtabliſhment of the Lords Arke, and promoteing of his worſhip, a worthy pattern to all Princes and Magiſtrates of imitation, which whoſoever have followed, have proſpered, as on the contrary who have done otherwiſe, they have been juſtly puniſhed. For who honours God, them he will honour, and who diſpiſes him ſhall be diſpiſed.
2. Hence we ſee the errour of ſuch who think, that the care and reformation of Religion belongs not to Magiſtrates, or laiks, as they call them, Princes being cuſtodes utriuſque tabulae, and this having been ever the practiſe of the Godly Kings of Iudah, who as their power was from God, ſo they exerciſed it for God, as the Godly Emperors did ſo in like manner.
3. This purpoſe of his touching the Ark and religion, he puts to execution, by convocating the chiefe men of Iſrael of every eſtate, conſulting and concluding with them, that by common conſent and concurrance, the ſame may be the better and more ſolemnly done, every one aſſiſting according to his calling: but eſpecially the chiefe part of this action belonging to the Levites, where we have the example of a prudent King and of a Godly Councell and Parliament. As we ſee was followed after by Conſtantine in the Councell of Nice, Theodoſius in Chalcedon: In that of Epheſus likewiſe, and Conſtantinople, and in thoſe religious Princes Edward the ſixth, and Queen Elizabeth of England.
4. Verſ. 2. We ſee that the Ark, which was a ſigne and ſymbole of Gods preſence, is called by the name of God himſelfe (the Lord of hoſtes, which may ſerve to the comfort of his own, and terrour of his enemies:) as in ſacramentall ſpeeches the name of the thing ſignified is given to the ſigne (as has been ſaid) ſo that it is a wrong and vaine reaſoning of the Papiſts to argue from theſe words, this is my body: that therefore the bread is turned in the ſubſtance of Chriſts body.
5. Verſ. 3. The manner of carrying the Ark is by Oxen on new cart: wherein we ſee two errours of the Levites. 1. They leave the Word and ordinance of God, which commanded that it ſhould be carried upon the Levites ſhoulders. And 2. They follow the example of the Philiſtines, their ſending back the Ark upon a new cart drawn by beaſts: which they do partly for celerity, and partly for their own eaſe. Where 1. we may ſee what is the rule in reformation or ſetting up of religion, that it ſhould not be by warrantable example or practiſe of others, but by the direction and warrant of Gods Word. 2. We may ſee what is the bane and ruine of religion, when men give themſelves to eaſe, and the burthen of the Miniſtry is committed to laſie ignorant and unworthy beaſts.
6. Verſ. 5. The Ark is conveyed with muſick of ſundry ſorts and great rejoycing, which ſhewes. 1. That the proſpering of religion, and advancement of all lawfull courſes, for the flouriſhing and eſtabliſhing thereof, ſhould be the matter of our greateſt rejoycing. And 2. That muſick, and the art thereof is lawfull in the Church of God for praiſing of the Lord in Pſalmes, and Hymnes, and ſpirituall ſongs.
7. David is ſpecially and firſt here named, as ringleader in this holy exerciſe: which ſhewes the duty of all Godly Magiſtrates and others in Prime place, to go before Gods people in a good and Godly example of piety and religious exerciſes: according as is ſaid, regis ad exemplum, &c. And not to be defective herein, or givers of evill example, as many do now a dayes.
8. Verſ. 6. In the midſt of this joy intervenes a ſad and tragicall accident, which obſtructs the ſame, by Ʋzza'hs unwarrantable laying hold on the Ark, when it was ſhaken by the Oxen that bare it, and his being ſuddenly ſtriken dead for his errour by the Ark of God. Where we ſee. 1. How ſoon may our rejoycing, or joy in this life be changed into matter of griefe, and mourning, ſuch is the viciſſitude whereunto we are here ſubject unto, till we come to that fulneſs of joy, Pſal. 16. 11. Which we ſhall only without interruption enjoy in the heavens. 2. We ſee that Ʋzzah's good intention in holding up the Ark …rom falling, when it was ſhaken by the Oxen, wanting a warrant, and diſtruſting (as it were) Gods own care of his Ark, makes not his action acceptable, nor freeth him from errour …nd puniſhment. Neither will the good pretended intentions of my in the manner of Gods worſhip, or other unwarrantable actions, be an excuſe unto them, or free them from guilt and puniſhment: as we ſee in the example of Nadab and Abthu, and all will worſhip. Col. 2. 23. 3. Where ſo good a man as Ʋzzah was, ſo ſeverely puniſhed for ſuch a ſmall ſeeming errour; (as it might be called) what may thoſe expect who boldly commit groſſe and ſcandalous ſinnes? without any remorſe, or amendment of life.
9. Verſ. 7. Where it is ſaid, that for this fact of Ʋzzah, (though upon a good intention) the anger of the Lord was kindled againſt him: and he ſmote him for his errour &c. We ſee that ſinne and errour kindles Gods wrath, and looſes his hand of juſtice unto puniſhment: therefore how watchfull, and loath we ſhould be to ſinne, as we would be loath, and feare to kindle Gods anger againſt our ſelves, and thereby to procure his judgments.
10. Where it is ſaid, that God ſmote him and he died by the Arke: we ſee that in the Lords hand is life and death, and how ſuddenly he may inflict the ſame, eſpecially when we provoke his wrath: and therefore we ſhould eſchew ſinne; the wages whereof is death, and feare God (as our Saviour exhorts us) Who when he has killed the body can caſt both ſoule and body in hell fire. Likewiſe we ſee that the Ark brings death and deſtruction to Ʋzzah; but (as after) bleſſing to Obededom, even ſo the right uſe, or abuſe of the Word and Sacraments, brings the like to the right uſers or abuſers thereof. And we ſhould feare with a prophane heart and hands to come and touch that holy Sacrament, that is called Chriſts body and blood, as the Ark was called the Lord of hoſtes.
10. Verſ. 8. This ſad accident produces in David. 1. Grief or diſpleaſure, that the Lord had been ſo offended, and made ſuch a breach upon Ʋzzah. And 2. Feare to bring the Ark of God at that time to his houſe at Sion. Where we ſee, 1. Davids Godly griefe that God ſhould have been grieved at that which Vzzah unwarrantably had done againſt the Law, which did inhibite, that the Levites ſhould otherwiſe carry the Ark, but upon their own ſhoulders, and not touch it otherwiſe, but only by bearing it by the inſtruments and barres appointed for that purpoſe. 2. That God ſhould have been moved by their not taking heed to his ordinance and ſinning thereby to have ſmitten Ʋzzah by ſo ſudden and unexpected death, which ſhewes 1. The griefe that Godly men have at the offence of God, which is expreſt Ezek. 9. 4. Jer. 9. 1. and Pſal. 119. 136. And 2. The ſympathy that they have with others who for their errours are juſtly puniſhed or chaſtiſed by the hand of God, as fellow feeling members of one body. And 3. How by the puniſhments of others they are inſtructed, and feare to commit any like offence whereby Gods anger may be kindled againſt themſelves.
11. Whereas in remembrance of that puniſhment inflicted on Ʋzzah, he called the name of the place Perez-Ʋzzah, or the breach of Ʋzzah. We ſee that not only the teſtimonies of the Lords mercy towards the Godly, and their deliverances ſhould be remembred, but likewiſe the teſtimonies of his juſtice towards offenders. The firſt to tye us to his obedience as by love cords, the other to terrify us from offending his divine Majeſty, as we ſee Pſal. 119. 120.
12. Verſ. 11. This feare that David had of carrying the Ark at that time to his own houſe, makes him to carry it aſide to the houſe of Obed-Edom, a Gittite where it remained three months, during all which time the houſe of Obed-Edom was bleſſed. To teach us, that where religion, and the Word of God and Sacraments gets footing: there is and will be the bleſſing of the Lord, as when Jacob was with Laban, Joſeph in Potiphars houſe, and the widdow of Zarephath for her ſuſtaining of Eliah. Much more alſo is that ſoule bleſſed where Chriſt himſelfe is ſuborned, or his poore members
13. Verſ. 12. and 1 Chron. 15. 25. Where upon the report of the Lords bleſſing Obed-Edoms houſe, becauſe of the Ark. David of new againe enterpriſeth the bringing of the Ark unto his houſe in Sion. We ſee that good purpoſes ſhould never be left off altogether, although they find ſome rubs and impediments …aſt in the way, through the policy of Satan, or mens obſtructions.
14. One maine cauſe of this renewed enterpriſe is the report of the Lords bleſſing of the houſe of Obed-Edom, not that David envyed the ſame: but that he was deſirous to be partaker of this bleſſing of the Lord, by harbouring the Ark in like manner in his own houſe at Sion. Which ſhewes the diſpoſition of the truly Godly, like Iacob they will wreſtle for the bleſſing of God, and will endeavour by all meanes, and above all things to have the Lord to bleſſe themſelves, and their families, and have the light of his countenance to ſhine upon them, as Pſal. 4. 6. As alſo we ſee, that it is good to be in a Godly family, for there is the bleſſing of God.
15. Verſ. 13. In the carrying of the Ark now this ſecond time from the houſe of Obed-Edom to the Citie of David: we ſee the former errour amended; that the Levites bore the ſame, as the Law commanded, and therefore it had the better ſucceſs. Where we ſee that it is a token of great wiſdome and grace to conſider wherein any errour has been, for which God has been angry, and puniſhed a land or perſons: and when they have found out … ſame (as Achan… fault was) to redreſs the ſame; as is done here.
16. It is ſaid likewiſe that when they that bare the Ark, (towit, the Levites) had gone ſix paces, David ſacrificed Oxen, and Fatlings, being mindfull of the Lords anger that burſt forth in a temporall judgment againſt Ʋzzah for his errour; that the Lord by theſe legall Sacrifices might be appeaſed, if any like errour or provocation ignorantly ſhould fal out in this ſecond bearing of the Ark from the houſe of Obed-Edom, as we ſee the like practiſe of Job. 1. 5. Which teaches us to be ſtill in feare to offend God in the meaneſt meaſure or manner, and by a watchfull care ſo farre as in us lyes to prevent his diſpleaſure.
17. Verſ. 14. David alſo danced before the Ark, girded with a linnen Ephod: white being the colour of joy, and linnen being light for uſe. Which fact of his was extraordinary, and therefore not to be imitated. His dancing being a ſigne of the great joy of his heart, upon this extrarodinary action of bringing the Ark from the houſe of Obed-Edom to his own houſe, and this linnen Ephod not being a prieſtly, or leviticall veſture, but a covering of his royall under-apparell, made of linnen, like to an Ephod, to witneſs his humility, as we ſee Verſ. 22. And that he thought no diſgrace in the Ephod, as many do the office of the Miniſtry. Whence we ſee alſo, that with ſpirituall rejoycing, and with humility the performance of religious duties ſhould be, but not from extraordinary outward practiſes: to argue for the like ordinary performances, that by Davids dancing before the Ark, immodeſt, laſcivious dancing ſhould be authorized, which is for exciting of luſt, or other ſinfull ends, as that dancing was of Herodias daughter.
18. The joy and rejoycing that is made by the King, and people at the bringing up of the Ark, ſhewes us what is, and ſhould be the right cauſe of the Godlies rejoycing, even the eſtabliſhing of Gods true religion, from the higheſt to the loweſt, and not in things unſtable and tranſitory, as Nebuchadnezzar's ſtorring was, and the rich foole of the Goſpell: but let him that rejoyceth, rejoyce in the Lord, for there is nothing but this, wherein we may not rejoyce, either unme…ſureably, or unſeaſonably, but in ſpirituall joy, we can neither be out of time nor meaſure.