DAVID – A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART # 13
GOING AFTER GOD
DATE:
TEXT: II Samuel 6:1-19
INTRODUCTION:
When we last left David, the nation had gathered themselves
together and anointed him to be their king.
While David was certainly grateful for the peace that now
existed in Israel; he knew that Israel was still far away from
the Lord.
During the days of Saul, Israel had lost sight of their
relationship with the Lord.
David wanted to make that situation right.
He wanted to bring his people back to God.
To do this, David knew that he was going to have to lead the
nation to go after God.
Our passage opens with David leading a massive army to
retrieve the Ark of the Covenant from the house of a man
named Abinadab.
David knew that Israel would never be where they needed to
be with the Lord until the Ark was restored to the center of
Israelite worship and everyday life.
At this point, a little history regarding the Ark is in order.
Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
The Ark of the Covenant was built at the command of the
Lord –
Exodus 25:10-22.
The word Ark means “chest or box.”
The Ark was a box of wood that measured 45” long and 27”
wide by 27” high.
This box was overlaid in pure gold.
It was topped by a golden grate called the Mercy Seat.
On either side of the Mercy Seat, were two golden cherubim.
Inside the Ark were a golden pot of manna; Aaron’s rod that
budded and the two tables of the Law that were given to
Moses at Mount Sinai.
It was here that God promised to meet with His people.
It was here that the blood of the atonement was place on the
Day of Atonement.
It was here that the shechinah glory of God rested as the
children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness.
This Ark was vital to worship in Israel.
It was symbolic of God’s presence among His people.
It was often carried into battle in front of the soldiers.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
It was central to their lives; their worship and their
relationship with God.
But, the Ark had not been kept in the central position that it
deserved; and, as a result, neither had God.
You see, way back in the days of Eli, some 75 years earlier,
the Ark had been taken by the Philistines – I Samuel 4:11
However, God punished the Philistines all the time the Ark
was in their possession - I Samuel 5-6.
Their solution was to place the Ark on a new cart and allow
the cattle that pulled the Ark take the box back to Israel.
So, after 75 years, David is about to take Israel and lead them
to go after God.
Truth: We do not have an Ark like Israel did; but we still
need the presence of God just as much as they did.
We need God and His power and His manifest presence in our
lives and our worship.
Our text has something to say about this matter of going after
God and bringing back His presence and His power.
Notice with me some of the simple insights that are contained
in this passage as we consider the thought –
“Going After God”
~~~OPENING PRAYER~~~
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
I. THE “DESIRE” OF DAVID’S HEART - vs. 1-2
When you think of David, what’s your first thought?
Do you remember:
 His triumph over the giant Goliath
 As the man who committed adultery with Bathsheba?
 His failures as a father?
 Him as a humble shepherd?
Do you know how God remembers David?
The answer is given to us in Acts 13:22.
There, Paul quotes the O.T. (I Samuel 13:14) and tells us that
God looked at David as “a man after God’s Own heart!”
God remembers David as a man –
 Who cared about the things that God cared about
 Who loved what God loved
 Hated what God hated; and
 Whose heart beat in time with God’s
David’s character is revealed in the desire of David’s heart.
Let’s look at David’s desires -4-
Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
A. David Possessed “A Holy Desire” –
David’s desire is clear and simple.
He wants the Ark returned to its place as the centerpiece of
worship and devotion in Israel.
He wants God placed back in the center of the national
consciousness.
David was seeking to unify a formerly divided nation with
God as their true King once again.
David desired God’s presence, God’s blessing and God’s
guidance.
David Possessed “A Holy Desire”
B. David Possessed “An Honest Desire”–
David was motivated by no ulterior motives.
He was not after glory or power; David merely wanted to see
God restored to His proper place as the Sovereign God of the
nation of Israel.
He strongly desired that God would be glorified among the
people of Israel.
C. David Possessed “A Humble Desire”–
David knew that neither he nor Israel would amount to
anything without the presence and power of God.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
David knew they did not possess the power or the ability to
fend for themselves.
They needed God.
They needed His presence and His power.
Therefore, David set out to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem to
restore it to a place of prominence in the eyes of the nation.
Truth: Let me just say that’s what we need / hearts like that
which David possessed.
We need a heart that beats for God, His power and His
presence.
We need to learn the lesson that we can do nothing without
God –
John 15:5 – “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much
fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
We must have His presence and His power if we are going to
serve Him; worship Him and carry out His will in our lives.
Like David and Israel, it is high time the church rose up and
went after the Lord!
We think we know how to do it all; but I am afraid that we do
not know nearly enough about how to seek His face –
II Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my
name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
May God grant us hearts that are hungry for Him!
That was “David’s Desire”; may it be ours as well.
THE “DESIRE” OF DAVID’S HEART
II. THE “DISAPPOINTMENT” OF DAVID’S HEART
vs. 3-10
David’s motives in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem were proper;
but his methods were faulty.
Instead of being successful; David’s methods for transporting
the Ark resulted in the death of a man named Uzzah.
This angered David, v. 8 and created fear within David’s heart
toward the Lord, v. 9.
Let’s take a moment to examine David’s disappointment a
little more closely and seek to determine what caused his plan
to fall apart A. Created By “A Faulty Decision”– v. 3
The Bible says that they “set the Ark of God upon a new
cart…”
 David’s first mistake was that he either forgot or ignored
the command of God as to how the Ark was to be transported.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
The Ark was to be lifted by means of two golden staves which
were to be passed through golden rings fashioned on the
corners of the Ark - Exodus 25:14-15.
The Ark was then to be lifted up and carried upon the
shoulders of a family of Levites known as the Kohathites,
Numbers 3:30, 31; 7:9.
David may have had good intentions, but he neglected to do it
God’s way.
He paid a high price for this decision.
 Another mistake David makes is that he did not seek God
before he made it.
Up to this moment, David has always gone to the Lord for
guidance and direction.
Time and again, David asks the Lord for help.
Here, he does not seek the Lord, but he just assumes that God
will bless him because he is doing a good thing.
 Another mistake David makes is that his methods were the
same methods that had been used by the world.
When the Philistines had the Ark and wanted to return it to
Israel, they had placed it on a new cart as well –
I Samuel 6:7-15.
Created By “A Faulty Decision”
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
B. Caused By “A Foolish Disobedience”– vs. 4-7
All was well for the first two miles of their journey, then the
oxen shook the cart and threatened to dump the Ark off the
cart.
At this point, Uzzah reached out his hand in an effort to steady
the Ark and prevent it from falling.
This seems like a logical thing to do, but apparently God did
not agree.
He killed Uzzah on the spot!
Again let me remind you, the Ark was not only supposed to be
carried only on the shoulders of the Kohathites; it was never to
be touched by human hands –
Numbers 4:15 – “And when Aaron and his sons have made
an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the
sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons
of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any
holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the
sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.”
The penalty for touching the Ark was death, as Uzzah and
David quickly found out.
Truth: If these verses teach us anything, they teach us that
God is very interested in the details.
We may think that God does not care about the little things in
life; but He does!
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
When God gives a command, He expects it to be followed to
the letter.
A heart that is after God does what God says to do, and it
stops doing what God says not to do.
In the Bible, there are precepts and there are principles.
A precept is to be obeyed, there is no wiggle room.
Illustration: When God posts a 55 mile per hour speed limit,
He will not accept 75; 60 or even 56.
He expects absolute obedience.
Regardless of the time or the circumstances, the speed limit is
55 MPH.
That is a precept.
His precepts are to be followed, to the letter, without question.
If God posts a sign that says “Watch for Children,” that sign
is a principle.
It will need to be observed more closely in a crowded
neighborhood than it will on a deserted country road.
In other words, a principle is to be applied with wisdom.
A heart that is going after God will desire to honor both God’s
precepts and His principles.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
God is intensely interested in the little things of life; even the
things that you may not think matter at all.
Does God’s reaction seem harsh to you?
After all, Uzzah was merely trying to do a good thing.
But, that is the price for disobedience and for violating the
holiness of God.
God honors obedience and He will judge disobedience!
Some other truths that we should take note of here are the
following:
 God’s blessings come only through obedience and those
who defy His Word and His will are going pay a terribly high
price.
The best thing a child of God can do is align themselves with
the Word of God and walk in humble obedience –
John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Micah 6:8 – “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly,
and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
 Failing to seek God’s will is just as dangerous as ignoring
what He has already told you to do.
His children should always pray before they make a move –
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
Matthew 6:33 –“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.”
 Trying to carry out God’s business using the methods of
the world is a recipe for disaster.
We have no business trying to carry the church on the new
carts of the world’s wisdom.
It is to be carried on the shoulders and in the hearts of the
people of God!
Like Uzzah, we are often guilty of reaching out with our hands
instead of reaching up with our hearts.
We are guilty of trying to do spiritual work in the power of
the flesh.
We attempt to do the work of God with our hands and never
really get under the burden.
That will never work and God will not bless it –
Jeremiah 29:13 – “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when
ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Created By “A Faulty Decision”
Caused By “A Foolish Disobedience”–
C. Culminated In “A Fleshly Display”– vs. 8-10
David became angry.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
Possibly he was angry with the Lord; more likely he was
angry with himself and his own foolishness.
But, instead of repenting and doing things the Lord’s way,
David chose instead to forget the whole business.
He dismissed the people and left the Ark where it was.
David stopped praising and he started pouting.
Truth: We should not be surprised when God refuses to bless
us when we leave His will.
 When we seek to do His business our way, He will not
bless it.
 When we employ worldly methods in an attempt to do His
work, He will not bless it.
 When we fail to seek His will, He will not bless us.
 When we operate in the power and energy of the flesh, He
will not bless us.
 When we refuse to obey His precepts and principles, He
will not bless us.
If you want to be disappointed in your walk with Jesus as an
individual or as a church, just do everything your way, and
watch Him refuse to honor it.
Watch Him send judgment instead.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
If you want His blessings, then do His business His way and
He will honor it and bring glory to Himself through it.
THE “DESIRE” OF DAVID’S HEART
THE “DISAPPOINTMENT” OF DAVID’S HEART
III. THE “DEVOTION” OF DAVID’S HEART - vs. 11-19
David was afraid to bring the Ark up, but a man named Obededom was glad to have it in his house.
He knew that a clean heart and a pure life had nothing to fear
from the Lord.
When David closed the door to God, Obed-edom opened his
door and God blessed him as a result.
When David hears about this, he experiences a change in
attitude.
He returns to the house of Obed-edom with a desire to carry
out God’s will God’s way.
Something has happened in David’s heart that made him a
candidate for what God wanted to do for him.
Let’s notice David’s heart as it is revealed in these verses A. A Change in David’s “Attitude” – vs. 11-12
David had forgotten the reasons why he went after the Ark in
the first place.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
He is reminded when he hears of the blessings being heaped
upon the house of Obed-edom.
David goes after the Ark and brings it home.
A Change in David’s “Attitude”
B. A Change in David’s “Approach” – v. 13
Apparently, during the three months that passed between the
death of Uzzah and David’s decision to go get the Ark, he had
been doing his homework.
Either someone told David how the Ark was supposed to be
moved, or he read the Law for himself –
I Chronicles 15:13-15 - 
Either way, he went and got it and brought it home the right
way.
This time there would be no shortcuts and no disobedience;
David would do it the right way.
He would do it the Lord’s way!
Just to be sure, the Levites stopped after they had gone six
steps and they sacrificed to the Lord.
When the Lord did not destroy anyone, they were assured of
His blessings and they carried the Ark on to Jerusalem.
A Change in David’s “Attitude”
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
A Change in David’s “Approach”
C. A Change in David’s “Actions” – vs. 14-19
It seems that David has given up music, v. 5, and has taken up
dancing, v. 14.
He has also laid the robes of his sovereignty and put on the
humble ephod of a seeker.
He has laid aside his pouts and replaced them with shouts.
David’s heart has been transformed and he is getting what
went after.
He went after God and he is returning with presence and
power of God.
David’s life, and the nation of Israel, would never be the same
again.
Truth: What are the lessons for us here? They are simple!
The believer who goes after God with a heart to know Him;
and who seeks His face according to His revealed will; is
going to receive that which he is after.
When we stop trying to get by through fleshly means and
through worldly shortcuts; and we go after Him by honoring
His Word and respecting His holiness, He will bless us with
His presence and His power for His glory!
Doing things God’s way will put a shout in your heart, a song
on your lips and glory in your soul.
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
When we line up with Him and go after God with all our
hearts, we will be changed forever!
We must learn the truth that there are no shortcuts to holiness
and obedience.
You see, walking in obedience to the Lord and His precepts
and principles will set you free –
John 8:32 – “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.”
Romans 8:1-5 - 
Living in disobedience and in the power of the flesh will result
in bondage.
CONCLUSION:
David went after God the wrong way and he paid a high price
for his disobedience.
However, when he started doing things God’s way, his life
was revolutionized.
He went after God, and God’s presence and power, and he got
it all when he did it God’s way.
What about you?
Are you seeking God and His power and presence in your life?
Are you seeking Him His way?
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Going After God – II Samuel 6:1-19
Are you walking in obedience to His precepts and principles?
If you have been hitting brick walls in your quest for God;
let David’s example set you on the right path.
Go after God with all you have, but be sure that you go after
Him His way.
INVITATION
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