In today's portion, David is crowned king of all Israel (5:3). He wastes no time taking over the entire country and surrounding areas. First he conquers Jerusalem and drives out the Jebusites. Next, he makes arrangements to have the Ark moved to Jerusalem. Tragically, one of the oxen stumbles and causes the Ark to tilt and one of the men moving the Ark reach out to steady it. Because he is not a priest, the man Uzzah, who touches the Ark is immediately struck dead by the Lord. This causes David to reconsider the move and the Ark is stored temporarily in the house of Obed-edom of Gath. Not surprising, Obed-edom and his family are blessed while the Ark is there.
After three months, David learns of the blessings of Obed-edom and strongly desires the Ark's presence in Jerusalem where he resides. He again makes arrangements to have the Ark moved. In 6:13, the Bible states, "After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrifice a bull and fatted calf. And David danced before the Lord with all his might." After six steps!
His dancing disturbs and embarrasses his wife, Michal, Saul's daughter and she derides David. She is the only wife of David who never has any children. Additionally, after she complains to David, she is never mentioned in scripture again.
David wants to build a temple for the Ark, but God forbids him, stating that his son will build it (chapter 7). In chapter 8, David continues to expand his kingdom, defeating the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Edomites, and establishing a military presence in Syria. In 8:6c we read, "The Lord made David victorious wherever he went."
As a final act of kindness to Saul and Jonathan's memory, David takes Jonathan's crippled son, Mephibosheth, into his household and restores all of Saul's land to him providing him with economic security.
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