2 Samuel 6:17-19 – Relationship with God and each other must be aligned

The Ark of God was brought into the city, but David did not bring it into his own house. Instead, he had a tent pitched and placed it there. What happened to the tabernacle built in Moses' time, where the Ark was always placed in the Holy of holies? It is a long history but according to 2 Chronicles 1:3, that tabernacle was now located in Gibeon. So David had a tent pitched to house the Ark. We know later David had planned to build a more permanent place for God. This tent was a temporary one so that he could at least begin to do what he knew was needed to align their relationship with God and with each other.

With the Ark placed in the tent he had pitched, David made two offerings before the LORD – the burnt and peace offering. The burnt offering was offered to atone for their sins and to express their devotion to God. The peace offering was consecrated to share a fellowship meal of peace with the people. It was aligning their commitment to each other before God for the future of the community. David knew how needful it was not only to align his relationship with God but also their commitment to God and to each other as a nation.  Then as the leader, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. In verse 19 David also generously “…distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one.” Then all the people departed to each his home gladly.

Here we see two important aspects of living and serving God as a community of believers. Firstly, there must be individual consecration to the LORD. Secondly there must be a personal commitment to the community we are a part of. God has called us together as a people and our first allegiance is to Him. There must also be commitment made to each other. With these two elements in place, we will be aligned with a common purpose to advance the Kingdom's cause. In our walk with God we need to make sure that each of us is rightly related to God. Then as Paul said in Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Like David, the leader must set the pace. As the pace is set, the members will be inspired to follow likewise. Remember we are God’s chosen people, called to advance His works together. Let us march on as one for the Lord!