Week 7: David and the Ark in Jerusalem                                                                                            

The victorious king  (2 Samuel 5-7)

Up to this point, David has been busy uniting the nation of Israel and pushing the Philistines out. He finally finds a bit of rest and focuses on the "needs" of the Lord. First David decides to bring the ark into Jerusalem (David's chosen capital of Israel) and then decides that the ark's dwelling place is a bit shabby. 

Let us first spend some time tracing the story of the ark. Read the following passages:

• Exodus 25: 8-22
• Dwelling place of the Lord.
• Contains the testimony of the Lord (further in Exodus 31:18).
• The mercy seat is atop of the ark.
• Exodus 40:1-2
• The ark resides in the tabernacle (tent) of meeting.
• Leviticus 16:3, 13-17
• The ark was used for sacrificial atonement of sin.

Questions to consider while reading 2 Samuel 5-7:

• What is the ark:
• What does it symbolize?
• What is its purpose?
• What does it contain?
• What does it mean to the Nation of Israel?
• What doe it mean to us today?
• Why did the Israelites need the ark?
• Protection?
• Symbolism?
• Authority?
• Ceremony?
• What meets the need of the ark today?