The Ark Comes to Jerusalem- The Life of David Series
Today in Calvary Kids, we learned that doing things God's way instead of our own way is the best place to be. We also learned that we can be unashamed in our worship towards the Lord and religious pride can leave us barren and spiritually dry. Christ is the one who surpasses the Ark as God's ultimate presence among us.
Read 2 Samuel 6
David wanted Jerusalem to be the central place of worship. This meant bringing in the most important treasure of all: The Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was like a golden chest that God told Moses to build when His people were wandering in the wilderness. It was placed in the tabernacle, a special tent of worship. The Ark was a BIG deal because it represented God’s presence among His people. God Himself said in Exodus 25:22: “There I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat.”
David longed to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. In fact, in Psalm 132 he said he wouldn’t even rest until God had a dwelling place. That’s how much he wanted God’s presence in the middle of his city! So David gathered 30,000 men, built a brand-new cart, and placed the Ark on it. Music filled the air. The celebration looked like a huge concert, but something was missing....David hadn’t asked God how to move the Ark. God’s Word already gave instructions: the Ark was to be carried by priests with poles. But David copied the way the Philistines had done it and the result was tragic. As the cart wobbled, a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and immediately he died. Sinful men could not touch a holy God. Even when we mean well, we must do things God’s way, not just our own way.
Later, David tried again and this time, he followed God’s instructions. Priests carried the Ark on poles. They even stopped along the way to pray and make sacrifices. This wasn’t a rushed parade anymore, but a worshipful obedience. What a difference it made! David was so full of joy that he danced before the Lord with all his might. Trumpets blasted, people shouted, and the Ark entered Jerusalem with gladness.
Not everyone was happy, though. Michal, David’s wife, thought his dancing was embarrassing. But David didn’t care. He said, “I will celebrate before the Lord… I will become even more undignified than this” (2 Samuel 6:21–22). David knew that God deserved all his worship, no matter what others thought. When we worship, we give our whole hearts to God and we don’t need to worry about what other people think.
The Ark was amazing, but it was only temporary. It pointed to something greater—Jesus Himself.
Through Jesus' death and resurrection, God doesn't just live in a temple, He lives in us.
Application Time:
1. Obey God's Word first.--Just like David, we might have good ideas, but what matters most is doing things the way God says. We learn God's way by reading the Bible and listening to what it says.
2. Don't copy the world -- David copied the Philistines by using a cart, but God's people are called to be different. Instead of copying what everyone else does, we ask: What does God want me to do?
3. Take time with God, not just big shows -- David had a big concert at first, but God cared more about obedience. For us, that means spending quiet time reading, praying, or helping others and not just showing off.
4. Worship with your whole heart. Some people, like Michal, thought David looked silly. But David didn't care and more cared about honoring God. When we sing, pray, or obey, we can give God our best, even if others don't understand.
Discussion Questions:
1. What can we learn from David's uninhibited worship style?
2. How do we balance reverence and joy in our worship?
3. What fears might keep us from wholehearted worship like David's?
4. How does Jesus as "God with us" surpass the Ark's significance?
5. What would change in our worship if we truly grasped that God lives within us?
Memory Verse:
"So they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD." 2 Samuel 6:17
Read 2 Samuel 6
David wanted Jerusalem to be the central place of worship. This meant bringing in the most important treasure of all: The Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was like a golden chest that God told Moses to build when His people were wandering in the wilderness. It was placed in the tabernacle, a special tent of worship. The Ark was a BIG deal because it represented God’s presence among His people. God Himself said in Exodus 25:22: “There I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat.”
David longed to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. In fact, in Psalm 132 he said he wouldn’t even rest until God had a dwelling place. That’s how much he wanted God’s presence in the middle of his city! So David gathered 30,000 men, built a brand-new cart, and placed the Ark on it. Music filled the air. The celebration looked like a huge concert, but something was missing....David hadn’t asked God how to move the Ark. God’s Word already gave instructions: the Ark was to be carried by priests with poles. But David copied the way the Philistines had done it and the result was tragic. As the cart wobbled, a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and immediately he died. Sinful men could not touch a holy God. Even when we mean well, we must do things God’s way, not just our own way.
Later, David tried again and this time, he followed God’s instructions. Priests carried the Ark on poles. They even stopped along the way to pray and make sacrifices. This wasn’t a rushed parade anymore, but a worshipful obedience. What a difference it made! David was so full of joy that he danced before the Lord with all his might. Trumpets blasted, people shouted, and the Ark entered Jerusalem with gladness.
Not everyone was happy, though. Michal, David’s wife, thought his dancing was embarrassing. But David didn’t care. He said, “I will celebrate before the Lord… I will become even more undignified than this” (2 Samuel 6:21–22). David knew that God deserved all his worship, no matter what others thought. When we worship, we give our whole hearts to God and we don’t need to worry about what other people think.
The Ark was amazing, but it was only temporary. It pointed to something greater—Jesus Himself.
- The Ark brought God’s presence to one city → Jesus brings God’s presence to the whole world.
- The Ark was kept behind a veil → Jesus tore the veil so we can come close to God.
- The Ark was a golden box → Jesus is God in the flesh, who came to live among us.
- David danced because God’s presence entered a building → We can rejoice because God’s presence enters our hearts!
Through Jesus' death and resurrection, God doesn't just live in a temple, He lives in us.
Application Time:
1. Obey God's Word first.--Just like David, we might have good ideas, but what matters most is doing things the way God says. We learn God's way by reading the Bible and listening to what it says.
2. Don't copy the world -- David copied the Philistines by using a cart, but God's people are called to be different. Instead of copying what everyone else does, we ask: What does God want me to do?
3. Take time with God, not just big shows -- David had a big concert at first, but God cared more about obedience. For us, that means spending quiet time reading, praying, or helping others and not just showing off.
4. Worship with your whole heart. Some people, like Michal, thought David looked silly. But David didn't care and more cared about honoring God. When we sing, pray, or obey, we can give God our best, even if others don't understand.
Discussion Questions:
1. What can we learn from David's uninhibited worship style?
2. How do we balance reverence and joy in our worship?
3. What fears might keep us from wholehearted worship like David's?
4. How does Jesus as "God with us" surpass the Ark's significance?
5. What would change in our worship if we truly grasped that God lives within us?
Memory Verse:
"So they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD." 2 Samuel 6:17
Posted in Pre-K Calvary Kids