Background History
The Ark of the Covenant had been removed from the Tabernacle of Moses many years back. When Israel went to battle against the Philistines they were defeated. They blamed the Lord for their defeat, which was brought on by their sin and ignorance. They thought that if the Ark were in there midst they would have the victory again. They believed superstitiously. Israel's attitude about the Ark came not from the counsel of God but by copying the heathen around them who carried their idols into battle for "luck". So, the Israelites went to fetch the Ark of the Covenant at Shiloh and brought it into the battlefield. Even with the Ark present Israel was defeated again and the Philistines captured the Ark. God allowed the Ark to be captured to discipline Israel and also to show His power over the silly deities worshipped by other nations.
The Ark of the Covenant was taken captive into Philistine territory and was put in the temple of Dagon. Soon after it arrived there judgement fell on them and they returned it to Israel. It ended up at a hill in a house at Kirjath Jearim and remained there 20 years until David became King of Israel. The house was blessed when the Ark was here.
In 1 Chronicles 13:1-3 we the story unfolding. David wants the Ark back where it should be, in Jerusalem.
What was the Ark?
For Israel it meant the presence of God. God was in there midst. To them, it presented the following: -
The Throne of God. " . . . The Ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim . . . " 1 Chronicles 13:6. It meant that God was enthroned in their midst, ruling and reigning over the events of their lives.
The Name of God. " . . . The Ark that is called by the Name" 1 Chronicles 13:6. When Moses have asked to know the Name of the Lord, God answered him: - " . . . I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am, has send you me to you . . . This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation."(Exodus 3:13-16). The Name "I am" (Yahweh) sacred to Israel represented all that God is. In the Ark, all His Power, His Authority, His Righteous character, was in there midst. "I am who I am," means I shall continually be that which I have always been or I will be all that is necessary, as the occasion will arise.
The Glory of God. "Above the Ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the place of atonement.." Hebrew 9:5 and also Exodus 25:10-22. The fullness of God's glory was revealed in the Ark. It was a shadow of God's Throne in heaven (Hebrew 8:5 and Hebrew 10:1), where the cherubim of the Glory" cover the throne and the seraphim constantly call out to one another "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory"! (See Ezekiel 28:11-14 and Isaiah 6:1-4) To Israel, the Ark meant the following: -
Communion with God (Exodus 25:22)
Direct and Rest (Numbers 10:33-36)
Victory (Joshua 3-6)
Revelation of His Glory (Exodus 40:34-38 and 2 Chronicles 5:2-14)
Three Items inside the Ark
There were three things inside the Ark of the Covenant. It contained a jar of manna, Aaron's rod that had budded and the stone tablets of the covenant (Hebrew 9:3-4).
Each item depicted an aspect of the Lord's nature.
Aaron's rod (Numbers 17:5) - authority, anointing and fruitfulness
Moses tablets of stone (Exodus 25) - righteousness, holiness
Pot of manna (Exodus 16:33-34; Luke 4:4) - Sustenance of life, the Living Word.
David's Tabernacle
Now that we have some background and know the meaning of the Ark and what it meant to Israel we can understand David's desire to have the Ark back where it should belong, to bring it back to Jerusalem.
The First Attempt - In his eagerness to get the Ark back in Jerusalem David did not think about the Laws but used the same method which the Philistines used when they returned the Ark to Israel. He put it on a new cart, drawn by oxen. When Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark when the oxen stumbled, Uzzah is struck dead. David was very angry and the Ark was left at the house of Obed-Edom and remained there for three months and brought great blessings to his household while it stood there. David's first attempt resulted in failure. Not even the Priests were allowed to touch the Ark or even look inside it, due to its sacredness. This all happened because the Ark was not being handled according to God's directives.
The Second Attempt - This time David find out from the Lord the right way to bring it back to Jerusalem. The presence of God is borne by people, not things. He brought it, should have been done in the first place, but due to his eagerness he was not properly prepared. Now he prepared a new place for the Ark and the priests brought it. Each of following is also a truth that applied to the Church.
It must be carried on the shoulders of a consecrated priest. (I Chronicles 15:2 ,11-15) The Church is now the priesthood of all believers. The Glory of the Lord will return in its fullness to a consecrated people and it should start with the leaders.
It requires a new place and a tent. It also got a new name (Tabernacle of David). David instructed that the Ark must be located at Mt Zion in a tent (1 Chronicles 15:1). God is preparing His people as a place where He will reveal His Glory.
It required sacrifice.( 2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Chronicles 15:26 and 16:1-2)
The foundation of the Church is always the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
Israel brought back the Ark in unity with great rejoicing. David danced before the Lord. (2 Samuel 6:14).
The Tabernacle of David brought the following: -
The presence of God returned. It was open to all. No "veil" barred them into His presence. It was not so with the Tabernacle of Moses. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
There was praise and worship 24 hrs a day including musical instruments. (Psalm 150)
Songs came forth spontaneous and many Psalms came as a result of it.
There was great joy and unity.
David taught the people to be intimate with God. No wonder that the Prophet Amos prophecy that the Tabernacle of David will be build again. God is building and preparing the way for the Tabernacle of David to be built again in these last days.
God is looking today for "Davids" again to establish an end time Tabernacle of David. A "David" to establish a place where God can be truely worshipped around the clock for Him to reveal His presence and His Glory. God is looking for true worshippers.
Are you the "David" that He is looking for?