Bible Connect (week 20 Day 1)

� Reading 1 - 2 Sam 6; 1 Chron 13

6 - 2 Samuel 6 is a puzzling chapter for some, but it records a very important moment in David’s rule. This point is made when we realize that 1 Chronicles 13 records the same event - God repeats what mat- ters! The ark is transported incorrectly, in the Philistine manner and thus the ark is at risk of falling to the ground. Uzzah reaches out to do what appears to be a good thing but is struck dead (verse 7). The readings for tomorrow will show that David comes to understand what happened and why he shouldn’t be angry with the Lord (verse 8). The other peculiar event here is David dancing before the ark (verses 16-23). Some have thought David danced naked as the ark was brought triumphantly into Jerusalem. This is not so. 1 Chronicles 15:27 makes it clear that David was fully clothed, wearing a robe of linen under the ephod. What David did was lay aside his royal robes to participate in the worship of God as a “common man.” Michal de- spises him for this, even attributing evil motives to David (verse 20). David explains himself but wants nothing further to do with such a woman (verses 21-22). Thus the house of Saul will have no heir from Michal (verse 23), an important point as the story continues. A grandson of Saul and son of David could have made a strong claim to the throne. No such son will be born.

13 - 1 Chronicles 13 records the events of moving the ark and Uzzah’s death.

Psalm 60

This is not an easy read. Psalm 60 is a national lament, where the nation has been defeated and they don’t understand why. “God you have left us!” is its theme (verse 1). Why and how that happened is uncertain be- cause there is no Edomite invasion and victory over Israel recorded in Scripture. While there is a lot of spec- ulation about that we have to be content that the Bible doesn’t give detail about everything that ever hap- pened. Instead we focus on what the psalm does tell us: sometimes God’s people are chastened and it is requires much examination, prayer, and crying out to God (verses 1-3). Verse 4 is very difficult to translate and is uncertain. Verses 6-12 are incorporated into the 108:6ff. These verses remind the people that God is in control, and is sovereign even over the nations and territories around them. The psalm closes with an ap- peal for God’s help once more (verses 9-11) and a strong statement of trust (verse 12).

23 - Much has been made of verses 4-5, and the apparent disrespect Paul shows the High Priest. Many explanations are possible. Perhaps Paul’s poor eyesight kept him from seeing who was speaking (especially plausible if the High Priest were not in his priestly garments). Maybe it is sarcasm and irony, as Paul is saying “No real High Priest would act like you are acting.” Maybe Paul lost his temper and just said some- thing he shouldn’t. In such a place as this Paul seems to sense that he cannot receive a fair trial so he dis- rupts the proceedings with a careful statement (verse 6). Verse 12 makes us chuckle as we think of hungry would-be assassins but it ought to show us how serious these threats were, and how quickly they expected to act. Lysias took the threats seriously, as his immediate action and large accompanying force shows (verses 23-24). Felix (verse 26) was appointed by Claudius in AD 52.