## Expressions of Praise

## II Samuel 6:1-23

Even though we may understand that worship is a very important priority, we sometimes struggle with expressions of worship. Because of our personalities, our backgrounds and our traditions we sometimes find it difficult to express our praise. But expressing praise to God is a major part of our worship. Why? Because God's presence is manifested, evident when we praise Him.

(Psa 22:3) "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel."

Many are familiar with verse 14 concerning David's dance. I am not going to preach a message about dancing tonight. I grew up in the 60's and anything was considered to be dancing. So by that definition, I was a pretty good dancer. : ) But that isn't the point tonight. This evening's text is about expressing worship to God. I pray that we all learn to worship God in such a way that we won't be able to just sit still, but we will want to do something to get involved! I know I am probably scaring some of you now. : )

I. The Dance of King David

A. The Sin of Uzzah (vv.1-11).

1. The Ark of the Covenant was more than a prop from an Indiana Jones movie.

a. For Israel it was the tangible presence of God.

b. Their enemies, the Philistines had scored a major coup when they stole it.

c. The Philistines put it in their temple to Dagon and the idol kept falling over in front of the ark.

2. From there the Philistines took the ark to the city of Gath.

a. Because of it the citizens were afflicted with tumors.

b. Then it was taken to Ekron and death filled that city with panic.

c. Finally, the pagan Philistines sent the ark back to Israel on a new cart pulled by milk cows.

d. Somehow it was hid away and forgotten in Israel for 80 years.

3. I find it interesting that the symbol of worship in Israel was stolen away and then forgotten for two generations.

4. As we begin chapter 6, we find King David's plan to return the ark to its rightful place at the center of Israel's national worship.

5. He wanted to bring it back to Jerusalem.

a. David took "thirty thousand" choice men to bring the ark back to Jerusalem to the tabernacle where it belonged.

b. They made a big mistake in v.3. The Bible says, "So they set the ark of God on a new cart."

c. God took the worship of Israel very seriously.

d. The pagan Philistines may have gotten away with sending the ark home on a "new cart" but God's people were supposed to know better.

e. God had been very specific concerning the tabernacle and the ark.

f. It was only to be carried by the priests and only then with special poles.

6. It seems that Ahio "went before the ark" (v.4) and Uzzah walked along beside it. All the while, v.5 says "David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord."

a. As the parade came to "Nachon's threshing floor" it seems that "the oxen stumbled." In fear that the ark might tip over or fall, Uzzah "put out his hand… and took hold of it" to steady it.

b. Immediately God's "anger" was "kindled against Uzzah."

c. He had touched with his dirty hand that which was most holy.

d. God "struck him there" because of his irreverence "and he died there by the ark of God."

7. David's response was one of anger and fear.

a. Anger, perhaps because he felt God was too harsh.

b. After all they were bringing the ark back home.

c. Fear because of what had happened.

d. He stopped and went no further.

e. He left the ark in "the house of Obededom" for some "three months."

f. While it was there, "the Lord blessed Obededom and all his household."

B. The Celebration of David (vv.12-15, 17-19).

1. When David heard that God was blessing Obededom because of the ark, he desired to bring it to Jerusalem.

a. It made sense that if the ark was in Jerusalem, all the nation would be blessed.

b. So he "went and brought up the ark of God… with gladness."

2. Once again the worshipful parade resumed.

a. They had only moved the ark "six paces" when David stopped and "sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep."

b. Perhaps because of God's favor on them in allowing them to move it.

c. Perhaps to make sure that they stayed right with God and were doing this for the right reason.

d. It was about 12 miles to Jerusalem.

3. As the procession proceeded v.14 says, "David danced before the Lord with all his might."

a. This was not the first time someone danced in celebration worship.

b. In Ex.15:20 all the women of Israel danced with Miriam at the crossing of the Red Sea.

c. This happened on other occasions as well, especially after military victories.

4. As the procession continued it did so with much "shouting and with the sound of the trumpet."

5. Celebration worship!

6. V.17 says they put the ark in its place "in the midst of the tabernacle" and they offered more "burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord."

7. Then David "blessed the people" and gave everyone "a loaf of bread, a piece of meat and a cake of raisins."

8. When the celebration wound down "all the people departed, everyone to his own house."

C. The Criticism of Michal (vv.16, 20-23).

1. Notice what happened in v16

a. David's wife Michal, who was also the daughter of the former king, Saul "looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord."

b. As she watched him she "despised him in her heart."

2. Now look at v.20.

a. The celebration is over.

b. All have gone home.

c. Now "David returned to bless his household."

d. He wanted to share his joy with his own family.

e. As he walks in the door there sits Michal.

3. Can you hear the spite in her voice?

4. "How glorious was the king of Israel today [hear the sarcasm?] uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants as one of the base [vulgar] fellows shamelessly uncovers himself."

5. She openly accused David of flaunting himself before the young girls of the city.

a. Michal was a king's daughter.

b. She grew up in the palace.

c. She understood proper decorum, etiquette and behavior.

d. She always maintained her royal dignity and honor.

e. David's actions offended her deeply.

f. In effect she was saying, "You were acting like a commoner."

6. How did David respond?

a. He said, "It was before the Lord…"

b. Go back to v.14, "…David danced before the Lord."

c. Look again to v.16, "…saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord…"

d. David told Michal that his dancing was an expression of his praise "before the Lord," the same God who had chosen him to replace her father who had ruined his reign.

e. At the end of v.21, David says, "Therefore will I play before the Lord."

f. To paraphrase, "You are not going to keep me from worshiping my Lord!"

g. He adds in v.22, "Baby, you ain't seen nothing yet. I am just getting started!"

7. V.23 seems to be the moral of the story.

a. It simply says, "Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death."

b. Of course the inference is that because she criticized David's worship, God struck her with barrenness.

II. Application of this Biblical Example.

A. Genuine Praise Is Very Serious To God.

1. I'm afraid we often come to God's house with the wrong attitude.

2. Somehow it's very easy for us not to take worship seriously, but God takes worship seriously.

a. Remember Uzzah? He reached out to touch the ark and was killed instantly.

b. Remember Michal. Her complaints closed her womb.

3. God has many priorities for our lives, the Word, witnessing, ministry, but the most important is WORSHIP.

B. Genuine Praise Is Spontaneous Not Programmed.

1. I like organization.

a. I keep my calendar updated and nearby.

b. In the same way, I like our public worship services to be well planned and to have a smooth flow.

c. But I want God to work in and through our worship services.

2. Do you think David sat down and planned out how he would be "leaping and dancing before the Lord? No!

3. David's dance was spontaneous. David was "before the Lord."

4. He wanted to bring praise, honor and glory to the Lord. I believe that as he "danced… with all his might" he was oblivious to those around him.

5. Remember God alone is our audience.

C. Genuine Praise Will Always Offend Some People.

1. When Michal saw David's expression of worship "she despised him in her heart."

2. It's easy for us to think that we ought to always do things the way we've done them before.

3. If we are not careful we will "teach as commandments the doctrines of men."

4. Read: Luke 6:7-11.

Have we worshiped Him today? Or have we been too consumed with ourselves to allow the free expression of our worship to our Lord? Is there a hindrance there? Do we have an attitude problem? David got angry and then afraid, he couldn't worship in that situation. Michal despised David as he danced before the Lord.

The invitation is for each of us tonight to consider our walk with the Lord and our worship.