Date: 11/3/2021
Section: 004
Old Testament Bible Study Assignment
Passage: 2 Samuel 6:1-23
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of David and Mephibosheth
found in 2 Samuel 6:1-23. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this
passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and
Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in .Everyday Bible Study
I. Observation
A. I have read 2 Samuel 6:1-23 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or
CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer.
Please use the translation provided in your digital library or found at Biblegateway.com
oYes
oNo
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2 similarities
and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. You may list as many
similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the minimum amount.
Similarity: In both translations, David’s response to Michal is both the same idea. He tells
her that he is acting the way he is not based on what everyone else thinks but based on his
joyfulness for the Lord. He also in each translation says that he will continue to act the way
he does because it is the way he chooses to worship the Lord.
Similarity: In both translations, they both cover the fear David had for the Lord after the
death of Uzzah. He was angry that the Lord could have ever done this to Uzzah, and by that
he leaves the ark at Odem-Edom’s house. Both happens and is emphasized of David giving
up on his journey to restore the ark due to fear.
Difference: In verse, the KJV translation specifically describes in which ways they praised
and celebrated the Lord, but the NIV version shortly said they “celebrated.”
Difference: When it comes to Uzzah touching the ark. The older translation makes it seem
like it was “just an error”, but the newer translation emphasizes the serious disrespect of the
action, calling it an “irreverent act.”
Difference: in the older translation Michal calls David vain and glorious, indicating that she
thought David was taking pride in himself in front of others. However, in the newer
translation says that Michal complains that David is “distinguishing himself” in terms she
was saying he was making a full of himself and making himself different than everyone
else. Michal’s perceptions of David are very different in these translations.
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
-David
-Uzzah
-Ahio
-Obed-Edom
-Michal
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
The Ark of God was to be taken to Jerusalem, City of David, by David. In first attempt to do so
he retrieved the new cart which sat the Ark of God from Abinadab’s sons Uzzah and Ahio. From
this, Uzzah touched the Ark, which was forbidden which caused God to strive him dead. Due to
Uzzah being killed by God, David became confused and angry with God, causing him to leave
the Ark at Obed-Edom’s house for 3months. Leaving the Ark at the housed caused the home to
be blessed. When hearing of this news he rejoiced and worshipped God and bring the Ark to
Jerusalem. This caused Michal to judge him, but David let her know that all his praise was to
God and not for the approval of others.
3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words)
Note: Plot and Narrative Structure are not the same thing (see the tutorial and student example)
Introduction: Told of David bringing all the able men of to get the Ark of God from Balaah in
Judah.
Inciting Incident: Uzzah touches the Ark of God, causing God to kill due to his disobedience.
This caused David to be confused and angry with God.
Rising Action: David leaves Ark at Obed-Edom house for three months cause that house to
become extremely blessed.
Climax: David praises the Lord publicly and brings the Ark of God to Jerusalem where it was
meant to be based on the Covenant and had an active display of praise and had everyone come to
a sacrifice meal.
Fall Action: Michal, David’s wife complains to him saying that his act of worship was uncalled
for and that he shouldn’t have let himself be seen that way.
Conclusion: David argues to Michal’s comment in letting her know that he was in the presence
of the Lord, and that he did not need to put on a show to display his faith because he was humble
in his own eyes. Also, this conversation led to the lack of marital intimacy between the two and
Michal never had any children.
D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to review chapters 17 and 33 in . This will help you be Everyday Bible Study
more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.”
Please be detailed and specific as you answer these six key questions.
1. Who:
-David
-Uzzah
-Ahio
-Obed-Edom
-Michal
2. What:
David gathers the abled men of Israel to retrieve the ark of God from Judah. He did this to so he
could place this in Jerusalem so that there could be a permanent and specific place for all the
people of Israel to worship God.
The ark of God was of significance because of God meant it to be in Exodus 25:10-22. God told
Moses, 400 years before David, to fill the ark with the tablets of the covenant law and there He
would meet with him to tell the commandments for the Israelites.
The ark was lost a generation before because of the fall of King Saul. Because of Saul
disobeying the orders God had for him in being king, his pridefulness caused the Philistines to
take the Ark. This caused David, in his time of being king to want to restore the ark to its rightful
place so that God knew He would once again dwell among His people.
Uzzah died at the touch of the ark because there were specific instructions on how was supposed
to carry it or touch it. In 1 Chronicles 15:12-13, that God specifically wanted the Levities to carry
the ark of God. He displayed blatant disobedience to God, which God said would result in death.
David becomes terrified and confused by God, because he knew that Uzzah meant no harsh
intent by touching the ark. This made him scared that he could possibly fail God and be punished
by not doing what He needed David to do.
David took the ark to the Odem-Edom’s house because he was a Levite, therefore he was blessed
under God to take care of the ark. His house was blessed because when the command of the Lord
was done, God showed the blessing He once promised
David went and retrieved the ark once again, because he once again knew that the ark was meant
to be a blessing to Israel and not a something to curse them. With this he praised God by
sacrificing animals to show that he was going to do things in the way that God has said them to
be.
David danced in praise and worship, which caused his wife Michal to despise him. She felt this
way because her father was Saul the previous king, who had a serious downfall and Lord did not
bless him.
Michal complained to David that he was being completely inappropriate in his actions, and it
came of as vulgar. David responded that he was doing it before the Lord, and not for others, and
restated that God chose him over her father. This can be a big deal because Saul did not openly
worship God like David did. This also caused David to let Michal know that this is only the
beginning of the worship because he planned to fully humble himself before the Lord who chose
him, and he would not be humiliated by it.
Michal had no children after this because David could have chosen not to have marital intimacy
with her, or due to the blatant disobedience she showed towards God in that moment.
3 Where:
-Balaah, Judah
-House of Ainadab
-Nakon; Perez Uzzah
-Odem-Edom’s house
-City of David
4. When:
-During the reign of king David
-After the reign of Saul
5. Why:
- Why did David want to bring the ark of God to the City of David?
To restore the presence of God of Israel and bring a permanent place for the ark.
- Why did Uzzah touch the ark?
The oxen were falling off it and he wanted to fix it.
- Why did God kill Uzzah?
Uzzah disobeyed God’s command of no one touching the ark.
- Why was David scared of God?
He was afraid he was not doing what God wanted him to, and he was afraid he’d be punished
like Uzzah.
- Why did God bless the house of Odem-Edom?
By bringing it to the house of a Levite, it was obeying what God had said.
- Why was Michal mad that David was worshiping?
She was angry that God was blessing David, and she felt as if his praise to the Lord was fake and
unnecessary.
- Why did David respond to Michal the way he did?
He wanted to make it clear to her that it was only his intention for the eyes of the Lord to be
on him and that he wanted to fully humble himself before the Lord and praising him for the
blessings he has shown.
6. How:
- How did the ark of God get to the city of David?
After two tries. David got the ark to the City of David, by transporting it and carrying it
in the way God commanded.
- How did David give praise to the Lord after the ark was given its permanent place?
He worshipped by dancing and preparing a fellowship feast.
- How did Michal his wife react, and how did David respond to his wife?
Michal disapproved of the worshipping activities David was involving himself in, and David
let his wife know that he was worshipping to humble himself before the Lord, and to thank
Him for staying consistent in his covenant.
II. Interpretation
A. Summarize: Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words)
explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember
two things. First, this passage is made up of both action and dialogue. Thus, this passage
is both showing and telling us something. Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our”
are application words and not interpretation words. Thus, they should not be used in your
answer for this question. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not “here and now.”
We were not there so the passage is not about us. Our “part” in the passage is the
application or how we will respond to God’s Word.
The author is trying to communicate that when God’s commands are obeyed, there will be
blessing. God sees when man blatantly disobeys Him and sees when actions are brought to being
Him glory and honor. In this chapter, there is too sides of obedience. The story of Uzzah in this
story teaches that when disobedience is shown towards God that he is just to punish His people
for His name to be praised. David’s side of the story shows that when there is obedience towards
God that He is just to bring blessed. Another main point brought in this story, is the importance
of genuine and public faith. David, after seeing the goodness of God through the Ark of the
Covenant, he danced and praised God for all he had done and authentically thanked Him in any
way he knew how. Michal, dismissing the worship David was indulging himself, and
complaining it was not kinglike to do so, David got to remind her that his praise is giving up his
pride and humbling himself before the Lord and praising hold heartedly. Those are two very
important lessons in the aspect of being obedient and thanking God when he blesses.
B. Identify: Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You
should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences. Once again, please remember
that words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our” are application words and not interpretation
words.
God does not tolerate disobedience, and He is a God quick to bring man back in line. God is also
a merciful and plentiful God and is quick to bless when His name is being authentically
worshipped.
C. Check: Consult at least one scholarly resource in order to offer support for the principle
that you believe the passage is teaching. Please consult the “Commentaries” as well as
the “Bible Dictionaries & Handbooks” tabs found on this research guide provided by the
Jerry Falwell Library.
BIBL105 Research Guide
I consulted,
Hays, J. D., & Duvall, J. S. (2011). . Baker Books.The baker illustrated bible handbook
III. Correlation
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State
what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length. It may be good to review chapter six in in order toEveryday Bible Study
recall what each of these four themes are about.
The Old Testament narrative of David and the ark of God, could fall into the stories of “fall” and
“redemption.” This story highlights the consequences of what happens when you don’t obey the
commands of the Lord, and what happens when you do obey the Lord. Being human, and full of
sin due to the fall, Uzzah as seen as someone who falls into his sin and touches the ark,
displaying direct disobedience, causing his death. It is told in genesis that for the wages of sin is
death, and that was told due to the fall, so this is in direct correlation to initial fall of man. For
redemption, it is shown how the Lord, however, follows through with his promise to Moses, and
uses the ark to help the Israelite’s. This story also portrays the story of redemption because no
matter the sin David fell into sin when he refused to bring the ark, and turned away from God,
the promised was still revealed and David got to bring the ark to the center of Israel to where
God could be praised.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you
have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation assignment. If your principle is a
true Biblical principle, it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the
principle discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures?
Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length. Be specific. List,
explain, and cite your supporting passage(s) from Scripture.
The principle of being obedient to what the Lord says, is also exemplified in the Scriptures by
Abraham in Genesis chapter 12. The Lord had a tremendous calling for Abraham, at the time
Abram, and he obediently listened. In Genesis 12: 1-3, The Lord told Abraham “Go from your
country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will
2
make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a
blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you
3
all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3).” From this we can see that God gave
Abram a direct command on what He wanted him to do. Obviously, Abram could have let the
spirit of fear or retaliation consume, but he saw the importance of what the Lord wanted from
him, so he went. It says in Genesis 12:4 “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went
with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran (Gen 12:4).” It was as
simple as that, he went. God calls to step out in faith and to be obedient, and from that, the Bible
exemplifies the many ways people are blessed by listening and following God, and the
consequences of what can happen to man if they don’t.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (200-300
words) in length. Be specific. List, explain, and cite your supporting passage(s) from
Scripture.
The principle of being obedient to God can be shown a multitude of times by the work and
person of Jesus by looking at his obedience until the end of life here on earth and the way he
chose obedience when God told Him that He would die on the cross. In Philippians 2:7-8 it says
“but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And
being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8).” This is the most ultimate way of being obedient to the
Lord. Jesus, came to the earth fully God, but also fully man, which comes with the sin of flesh.
However, Jesus did not let the emotions of man, come in the way of the path God had sent him
on to redeem the world of the lost. Jesus was in constant obedience and did not take a second
look at sin or retaliation towards God. Being judged, and put on the cross, Jesus did not hate or
defy God in judging the ones who scorned Him, but he, obeying, died for the world, and from
that man can learn the principle of obedience from the one who died to save them.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the “Four Questions for Application?” State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of
these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
As Christ-followers, we have a duty to live our lives in specific ways so that we can be obedient
to the truths He has spoken. We can fulfill our duties to be obedient by read the Word and taking
biblical truths and living them out. For example, by honoring our father and mother, we are in
line with what Scripture says, and in that we are being obedient. We can also live out our
obedience to God by listening to the calling the Lord has placed on lives and go do it. Whether
that be a major, job, relationship, if the Holy Spirit is giving us clarity on pursuing it, we need to
listen, be obedient, and go.
B. The question of character
Through the characters of Uzzah, and Michal, we can see what type of characteristics we need to
avoid. From these two we can see what happens when we directly disobey God. Although Uzzah
did not intentionally mean to disobey God, his action spoke for Him in listening and learning of
how he could be obedient to God during his experience carrying the ark. Michal, blatantly
disobeyed God by not only discouraging David’s worship but also despising him doing so.
David, however, what it looks like to see what disobedience of the Lord results in, and he learned
what he could do to make sure he glorified the Lord in bringing the ark. He also, displayed in
this story of obedience by humbling himself in worship, which is what the Lord wans from us.
He listens to the Lord, but then never forgets to thank Him in everything He brings.
C. The question of goals
The goal of David was shown by his aspirations to get the ark of God to the City of David.
Where he could have given up after leaving the ark elsewhere, but he saw the fruitfulness from
having the ark near people who were supposed to dwell by it. If David would have given up on
his goal to retrieve and transfer the ark to Jerusalem, he would have never got to see the
blessings God was going to show him. Following through with obedience, led David to his
overall goal, and allowed him to be able to worship the Lord with all his might, and be able to let
others know that he would humiliate himself to do so.
D. The question of discernment
To discern what the Lord was doing through this passage, we need to be able to see what He was
wants from us. Even with the best intentions, God wants to see public actions of obedience to
Him. Where in the situation of Uzzah, he could have been spared due that he did not mean to
disobey God, but he still did. In the eyes of the God, He wants our lives to live and breathe the
way He has set out before us, but we still fail. We may not mean to but, He sees it and it breaks
His heart. However, He still sees us when we do obey, and never shies short of blessing us when
we choose HIM. God is a God of want. He wants our attention to be on Him, and wants us to
walk His ways, intentionally and not intentionally.
