Royal Worship

12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

David heard the news of how God had blessed Obed-Edom’s household because the ark of the Lord’s presence was there. David had been troubled with anxiety and fear, but now that turned to jubilation. So he brought the ark to Jerusalem. The parade from Obed-Edom’s house to the City of David was a sight to see. Stopping after six steps, they offered worship with sacrifices and shouts of praise and music and dancing.

David danced before the Lord wearing an ephod, a priestly gar­ment. Apparently this also meant he had taken off his royal robes so that they would not hold him back in his dancing before the Lord. In this way David showed that he could worship with a focus on God as his only audience. Not the Levites, or his military commanders, or even his family mem­bers were going to stop him from showing his deep love and devotion to the Lord, who had been with him since day one. David and all of God’s people had a worship celebration on the road.

Lord, David’s dancing before you is surprising and uplifting. May your name be praised! Lead me to show my love and devotion to you because of all you have done for me in Christ. Amen.