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2 Samuel 5-6 – The Lord Bursts Out
These two narratives are not normally linked by me and they should be because:
1. They are back to back.
2. They are connected linguistically.
3. The difference is what’s important.
After “inquiring” of the Lord, something David did frequently, there is victory:
“So David marched against Baal Perazim and defeated them there. Then he said, “The LORD has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So he called the name of that place Baal Perazim (i.e, The Lord Bursts Out.” (NET 2 Samuel 5:20)
After not inquiring of the Lord, David has the ark of the covenant moved contrary to God’s previous instructions which led to loss:
“David was angry because the LORD attacked Uzzah; so he called that place Perez Uzzah (i.e., Outburst Against Uzzah) which remains its name to this very day.” (NET 2 Samuel 6:8)
Who David was angry at, it does not say. It could be himself but my guess is his anger is turned towards God.
Here are the occasions where the text says David inquired of of the Lord: 1 Samuel 23:2,4; 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23.
Notice something? The Uzzah incident is where David stopped “inquiring” of the Lord. The Lord will either burst out for us or against us, leading to victory or loss. The difference is whether we inquire of the Lord. Which narrative describes our attitude towards getting authority from God?
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