The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-10-01
David Brings the
Ark to Jerusalem
Sunday School Lesson for Oct. 4, 1908
Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TBXT.-"Enter into his gates
with Thanksgiving and into his courts
with praise. Psalm 1904
TIMB-Either b. G. 1898 Ussher) or
1902 by revised chronology of the Assy-
rian Eponym Canons. Prof. Beecher
points out the fact that Davids reign of
S3 years in Jerusalem is divided up into
three periods: 1. A period of war and
conquest, about IA years. 2. A period of
rest and upbuilding, about seven years.
3. period Of domestic troubles about
12 years. This lesson probably belongs
to the second period, OF to a period Of
rest during the conquest. But the exact
order Of events is not easily obtained
from the narrative.
PLACE.-OD The ark had been for a
long time at Kirjath-j jearim, about IL
miles west OF Jerusalem, in the valley of
Sorek (where Delilah lived), a valley
which leads up from the Phillstine coun-
try toward Jerusalem. (2) At house of
Obed-edom between Kirjath- -jearim and
Jerusalem
DAVTD'S CoUNSELoRS.-Ahith
very shrewd man; Nathan, the proph-
ct; and Joab. his chief general.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The Long Period of Decline.-For
20 years the ark as the center Of re-
ligious worship had lain In partial neg
ltONs OOOh dlltI lllt bGllloultnl vi lllt
Israelites in Palestine Joshua de-
posted the ark at Shiloh, 20 miles
north Of Jerusalem, and ten miles
north of Bethel Josh. 1S:1). II was
still there at the close Of the period
of the Judges q Sam. 1:3); and Sam
uel lived at Shiloh with ELI The sons
OF Ell had carried the ark from Shi
loh into a battle against the Philis-
tines. hoping that God would give
them the victory for the sake Of this
symbol Of his worship. But God did
not reward wickedness in that way.
The Israelites we're defeated, and the
Philistlnes captured the ark. But the
Lord would not permit them 10 retain
1t. Their idol, Dagon, fell before It..
The people were smitten with severe
sickness wherever the ark was sent.
Finally IL was restored to Israel, and
sent up the Sorek valley as far as
Hrjath- jearim, IL miles southwest OF
Jerusalem, in the house of Abinadab
on the hill q Sam. I'D, who put II
under the charge OF one Of his sons.
The neglect of the ark and its separ-
alton from its place in the tabernacle
at Shiloh, with one high priest follow
ing Saul and another David, shows to
what low and divided state religion
rad fallen in Israel under Saul The
neglect OF the means of religion, Of
'aces of worship. and set times for
devotion is generally accompanied by
a decline in the spirit of religion. II
| S both a sign of the decline and a
means toward 1t.
V. 1. Again" For a different pur.
"ose from the former gatherings for
wan. Thirty thousand" representa-
ives of the whole people. According
10 Chronicles, they came as far as
from Shihor, so miles south OF GAIA
and from Klamath in Lebanon, 25C
| miles north of Jerusalem. The restor
alton must be a national act, or II
would lose much Of its unifying power
The joyful procession and the re
ligious enthusiasm were marred by
an act of disobedience, where a goot
| hing was done in a wrong way.
The first error was committed by
transporting the ark by a cart instead
OF in the way ordained by God (Num
| bars -. The ark was to be carried by
Levites.
The next error grew out OF this frs
one. The jagged bridlepaths of those
parts are not at all adapted fol
wheeled conveyances," and when the
procession had reached Nachon''
,hreshing floor, the "oxen shook" tht
ark, were throwing it down." anC
(6) "Uzzah put forth his hand to thu
ark Of God" to keep 1t from falling
to the ground. If he had carried th'
ark as he was commanded, he woulC
not have been tempted to this secont
disobedience.
V, Z. And the anger of the Lore
was kindled" Not passion, but rath
er indignation-that feeling whicl
makes him hate sin and compels hin
to punish it. All that was loving an,
good in God was aroused against tn
act. And God smote him there"
Why this severity? (D 1t was di
rect, double disobedience. (2) Tn
wrong was enhanced by the fact tina
It was committed by man who as
son of Ablnadab had been with tn
ark, and should have known the Law
(3) 1t was a public disobedience Il
matters of religion. II was desecrs
ton of the holiest symbol OF their n
ligion. It was needful at the outset I
prove to the people the necessity @
exact obedience, and hence the careful
study OF Gods law.
A Note of Encouragement. 1. Their
was real encouragement in the fac
that God was so careful Of the religio
, of the Jews that he expressed by hi
act the value OF religion, and In
pressed 1t so deeply on their hearts.
2. The blessing that rested upon tn
family of Obed-edom through the pre-
ence of the symbol of religion in hi
house was a foretaste and a promise
and prophecy Of what 1t would be
the nation.
A fuller description OF this festivi
procession is given In l Chronicles