2 Samuel 4-5  Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, was made king of Israel by the hand of Abner.  He was afraid of Abner, ( 3:11) but when Abner was killed, Ish-bosheth was even more afraid. ( 4:1)  He had no strength in his own and was killed by 2 of his own commanders.   These brothers, Baanah and Rechab, snuck into the house and killed Ish-bosheth while he was sleeping.  Then, they cut off his head and took it to David, proclaiming victory on his behalf.  David was not pleased by this at all and had them killed because of their treachery.

It is after this that David is made king of all Israel.  He reigned over just Judah for 7 years and over all of Israel for another 33 years.  He conquered the "stronghold of Zion", Jerusalem and renamed it the City of David.  He led Israel against the Philistines twice during this time and was victorious both times.

Chapter 6  It is at this time that David turns his attention to bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  It had been kept at the house of Abinadab for almost a century.  David's intentions were good, but his first try went horribly wrong.  They moved the Ark by a cart pulled by oxen.  It was never intended to be moved in that way. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reacted by simply reaching out to keep it steady, and he was instantly struck down by the Lord.  The Ark was holy and was never allowed to be touched in that way.  David learned a lesson that day.  He learned to fear the Lord in an even deeper way than he ever had before.

Three months later, David makes another attempt at bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. This time he does it with much reverence and humility.  The Ark is carried by the Levites as the Law required.  Sacrifices are offered every 6 paces along the way.  The people shout and the trumpets sound. There is a great celebration as the Ark is brought into the city and taken into the tent that David had prepared for it.  This is also recorded in I Chronicles 15 with much more detail.  David not only brought the Ark up and prepared the tent, but he also organized the priests and Levites, restoring the true worship of the Lord as it was meant to be, according to the Law of Moses.

All of Israel celebrated this wonderful re-establishment of worship with the Lord.  All, that is, except Michal, David's wife.  Michal sees David "leaping and dancing" as he worships the Lord, " and she despised him in her heart."  Michal remains childless for all of her life.

Father in heaven, You are the Lord, Jehovah, the great and might One, who reveals Himself to His people.  Like David, that is not always easy or pleasant. May we learn early to have fear and reverence toward You, for You are Holy.  May we worship You in spirit and in truth.  Fill us Holy Spirit with Your light, that we may see clearly and worship fully.  You are worthy of our best efforts, our humblest reverence, and our deepest, fullest worship.  Even as David worshipped with all of his heart and soul and body, may we do likewise.  Praise and thanksgiving to You, O Jehovah, our God.
amen