1. Lessons from
the Oxcart
2 Samuel 6:1-11

2. Lessons from the Oxcart
Respecting God’s Silence
Power of Principle
The Comprehensive Nature of God’s Law

3. Background The ark was brought to battle as a good luck charm
The battle was lost and the ark was taken by the Philistines
After a series of calamities the ark was returned and remained at the house of Abinidad for nearly 50 years
1Sam 4-7; 1Chron 13

4. Background
After multiple battles with the Philistines David decides to move the ark
David built an ox cart to transport the ark
Uzzah touched the ark and was struck down by God and died
In 2 Sam the ark is moved after in 1Chron the ark is moved before the battles with the Philistines
2 Sam 5:17-25
2Sam 6:1-7

5. Respecting God’s Silence
“David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst…” 2Sam 6:8; 1Chron 13:10
God’s specific command prohibited any other action 1Chron 15:12-13

6. Respecting God’s Silence
Silence is prohibitive in areas governed by other commands
Arguing from silence = ignoring what is stated to do what is not

7. The Power of Principle
“…Lean not on your own understanding” Prov 3:5-6
With few notable exceptions David’s practice was to “inquire of the Lord” 2Sam 5:19,23; Psalm 25:1-5
Ignoring this principle proved to be fatal
“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Prov 3:5-6

8. The Power of Principle
Principles are fundamental truths that influence our thinking
God is love (1John 4:7)
The law of the Lord is perfect (Psalm 19:7)
Fellowship requires obedience (Dt 30:15-16,20)
“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Prov 3:5-6

9. The Comprehensive Nature of God’s Law
David’s thinking was sound…from a fleshly perspective
It was God’s wisdom that had led David to victory so far
David needed to put his trust in the Lord, but…
David’s decision may have been driven by a “reasonable” excuse. He had just defeated the Philistines in battles not far from where the ark was resting, not only had they defeated them militarily but during the first battle the Philistines had “abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away.” From a military perspective, from the perspective of human wisdom what David was doing made sense. David had just recently become king over a united Israel (2Sam 51-4). He had defeated the Jebusites that were holdouts from the conquest and taken over Jerusalem. He had been twice victorious over the Philistines. He had the people behind him the enemy on their heels. Politically and militarily things were going well and he needed to maintain that momentum. The last thing this new king needed was a major blow to morale, especially one that would cause spiritual doubts in Israel. The ark was resting just a few miles from the Philistine border in a small and unprotected town with little to no military presence, it needed to be moved and moved quickly. This was a military operation and in David’s mind it would seem not a spiritual operation.
One can almost hear the reasoning of David, this work is so important, the situation is so different, the impact of failure will be so great, surely we need a special method that you have not previously considered/allowed

10. The Comprehensive Nature of God’s Law
The wisdom of God encompasses your situation
We have no need of a special revelation, an altered hermeneutic, or human wisdom Psalm 119:89-91
We must learn to love and trust the Word of God Psalm 119:97-106,113