Sunday
April 24
1. THE ARK SENT BACK
a. When the Philistines realized they had offended the God of Israel by taking the ark of the covenant—the symbol of the divine presence—what did they decide to do? 1 Samuel 6:1–3.
“It was in accordance with the prevailing superstition that the Philistine lords directed the people to make representations of the plagues by which they had been afflicted.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 587.
b. How was the ark returned to the land and the people of Israel? Summarize the event described in 1 Samuel 6:7–9, 14, 15.
c. For lack of due respect for the emblem of God’s presence, why was the punishment harder on the Israelites than on the Philistines? 1 Samuel 6:19, 20; James 4:17.
“The Philistines, who had not a knowledge of God’s law, had placed the ark upon a cart when they returned it to Israel, and the Lord accepted the effort which they made. But the Israelites had in their hands a plain statement of the will of God in all these matters, and their neglect of these instructions was dishonoring to God.”—Ibid., p. 706.
Monday
April 25
2. THE ARK MOVED TO KIRJATH-JEARIM
a. As the survivors in Beth-shemesh were afraid to have the ark of God in their midst, to what other place did they send it? How long did it stay there? In the meantime, what were the people of Israel led to do and why? 1 Samuel 6:21; 7:1, 2.
b. What did Samuel—the high priest, prophet, and judge—instruct the people to do as a first step out of the difficult situation caused by apostasy? 1 Samuel 7:3. How is this a lesson for us today?
“As God’s purchased possession, we are under contract to work as Christ worked in His divine service, not in accordance with our natural inclinations, but in harmony with the Spirit of God. But the lives of men, as the gospel finds them, are full of sin. By yielding to temptation, they have weakened their power to obey. Their hearts are ‘deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked’ (Jeremiah 17:9). They are dead in trespasses and sins, and in their own strength they can do no good.
“In order to serve God acceptably, we must be ‘born again’ (John 3:7). Our natural dispositions, which are in opposition to the Spirit of God, must be put away. We must be made new men and women in Christ Jesus. Our old, unrenewed lives must give place to a new life—a life full of love, of trust, of willing obedience. . . . Unless the change takes place, we cannot serve God aright. Our work will be defective; earthly plans will be brought in; strange fire, dishonoring to God, will be offered. Our lives will be unholy and unhappy, full of unrest and trouble.
“The change of heart represented by the new birth can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. It alone can cleanse us from all impurity. If it is allowed to mold and fashion our hearts, we shall be able to discern the character of the kingdom of God, and realize the necessity of the change which must be made before we can obtain entrance to this kingdom. Pride and self-love resist the Spirit of God; every natural inclination of the soul opposes the change from self-importance and pride to the meekness and lowliness of Christ. But if we would travel in the pathway to eternal life, we must not listen to the whispering of self.”—The Youth’s Instructor, September 9, 1897.
Tuesday
April 26
3. THE ARK ON ITS WAY TO JERUSALEM
a. When David was established on the throne of Israel, what did he decide to do about the ark of God? 1 Chronicles 13:1–6.
“David summoned thirty thousand of the leading men of Israel, for it was his purpose to make the occasion a scene of great rejoicing and imposing display. The people responded gladly to the call. The high priest, with his brethren in sacred office and the princes and leading men of the tribes, assembled at Kirjath-jearim. David was aglow with holy zeal. The ark was brought out from the house of Abinadab and placed upon a new cart drawn by oxen, while two of the sons of Abinadab attended it.
“The men of Israel followed with exultant shouts and songs of rejoicing, a multitude of voices joining in melody with the sound of musical instruments; ‘David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord . . . on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals’ (2 Samuel 6:5). It had been long since Israel had witnessed such a scene of triumph. With solemn gladness the vast procession wound its way along the hills and valleys toward the Holy City.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 704, 705.
b. What happened on the way as David and the people were transporting the ark of God? 2 Samuel 6:5–10.
“A sudden terror fell upon the rejoicing throng. David was astonished and greatly alarmed, and in his heart he questioned the justice of God. He had been seeking to honor the ark as the symbol of the divine presence. Why, then, had that fearful judgment been sent to turn the season of gladness into an occasion of grief and mourning? . . .
“The fate of Uzzah was a divine judgment upon the violation of a most explicit command. Through Moses the Lord had given special instruction concerning the transportation of the ark. None but the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were to touch it, or even to look upon it uncovered. . . . Thus in the bringing of the ark from Kirjath-jearim there had been a direct and inexcusable disregard of the Lord’s directions.”—Ibid., p. 705.
Wednesday
April 27
4. THE ARK IN THE HOUSE OF OBED-EDOM
a. While the ark rested in the house of Obed-edom, and while David had time to examine his own heart, why was the attention of all Israel directed to Obed-edom and his household? 2 Samuel 6:11.
“Feeling that his own heart was not wholly right with God, David, seeing the stroke upon Uzzah, had feared the ark, lest some sin on his part should bring judgments upon him. . . .
“Upon David the divine rebuke accomplished its work. He was led to realize as he had never realized before the sacredness of the law of God and the necessity of strict obedience. The favor shown to the house of Obed-edom led David again to hope that the ark might bring a blessing to him and to his people.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 706.
b. What should we learn from the blessing that came upon Obed-edom? Psalm 140:13.
“Let us pray for the blessing of Christ’s abiding presence in our homes. Let us take time to teach our children lessons of faith and trust in Him. We may think that by so doing we are neglecting our business, but are we? We never lose by taking time to seek God for His blessing.”—The Signs of the Times, March 3, 1909.
c. What was done with the ark after a period of three months?
2 Samuel 6:12, 17; 1 Chronicles 15:1–3.
“At the end of three months [David] resolved to make another attempt to remove the ark, and he now gave earnest heed to carry out in every particular the directions of the Lord. Again the chief men of the nation were summoned, and a vast assemblage gathered about the dwelling place of the Gittite. With reverent care the ark was now placed upon the shoulders of men of divine appointment, the multitude fell into line, and with trembling hearts the vast procession again set forth. After advancing six paces the trumpet sounded a halt. By David’s direction sacrifices of ‘oxen and fatlings’ were to be offered. Rejoicing now took the place of trembling and terror.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 706.
Thursday
April 28
5. THE ARK BROUGHT TO JERUSALEM
a. As the procession following the ark approached the capital city, what song was heard from hundreds of voices? Psalm 24:7–10.
“The triumphal procession approached the capital, following the sacred symbol of their invisible King. Then a burst of song demanded of the watchers upon the walls that the gates of the Holy City should be thrown open: [Psalm 24:7–10 quoted].”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 707.
b. What effect did the bringing of the ark of God have upon the people? 1 Chronicles 16:7, 30–36.
“The solemn ceremonies attending the removal of the ark had made a lasting impression upon the people of Israel, arousing a deeper interest in the sanctuary service and kindling anew their zeal for Jehovah. David endeavored by every means in his power to deepen these impressions. The service of song was made a regular part of religious worship, and David composed psalms, not only for the use of the priests in the sanctuary service, but also to be sung by the people in their journeys to the national altar at the annual feasts. The influence thus exerted was far-reaching, and it resulted in freeing the nation from idolatry.”—Ibid., p. 711.
c. In the plan of God, what kind of “weapons” should Israel have employed to conquer the neighboring nations? Deuteronomy 1:30; 3:21, 22; 2 Chronicles 20:21, 22.
Friday
April 29
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. Why did the Philistines decide to return the ark of God to Israel?
b. What difference did God make between Jews and Gentiles when punishing those who tampered with the ark? Why such a difference?
c. On what condition would God protect Israel from their enemies?
d. What reception was made for the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem?
e. What was the main “weapon” Israel needed in order to dominate other nations? What has always been more important than the sword?