Let’s begin with a review. David had just become king of the United Tribes of Israel. For just over three years he had been king of Judah only, but now the rest of the nation had come to recognize the plan of God and had submitted to the Lord – and to David. The new king had taken steps to create a national capital in the former city of the Jebusites. David and his army had taken the best and most fortified city in the interior of the Promised Land. It was centrally located; it was beautiful; it was nearly impregnable; it was a perfect place for the capital. It formerly had been called “Jebus,” but it will eventually be given the name of “Jerusalem.” One part of the city was called “Zion,” and a second section is going to be known as “the City of David.” Some of the neighboring nations had recognized David’s reign and had begun sending ambassadors. And one in particular had either recognized God’s hand in Israel, or perhaps had taken a personal liking to David. Tyre, with its king, Hiram, had sent to David workers and materials for the fortification of Zion and the city of Jerusalem. He had also sent materials for the construction of a beautiful palace in David’s suburb.
Perhaps it was this construction which sparked David’s interest in bringing the worship of the Lord to Zion. During the long, nasty days of the Judges, the Tabernacle of the Congregation had fallen into disrepair. The priests of the Lord were no longer serving the Lord as faithfully as they should have been. Many of the Levites had become sinfully secular. And even the Ark of the Covenant had been taken as a military prize by the hated Philistines. But then, after the Lord had punished them, they returned it to Judah, but the fabulous Ark of God had been sitting in obscurity at a place called “Baale,” “Baalah” or “Kirjath-jearim.”
Perhaps as David saw his own fabulous palace rising from the dust of the City of David, it occurred to him that God deserved a palace as well – a temple – or at least a tabernacle just as glorious as his own. The king had taken steps to prepare a temporary abode for the Ark of God, and in this chapter we find him trying to bring it to Jerusalem. However, that short trip was a disaster, because David and the priests had not consulted the Word of God. The Lord had clearly, exactly, and explicitly detailed how the Ark of the Covenant was to be transported. It was to be carried on the shoulders of the sons of Kohath, of the tribe of Levi. David’s plan to use an ox-cart was a reversion to the method which the Philistines had employed. Then when the oxen stumbled and the Ark tottered a bit, a man named Uzzah, put his hand upon it, and the Lord killed him for his transgression.
One of the synonyms for “sin” is “transgression.” The definition of the word is “to go beyond,” to “step beyond the bounds which the Lord has set.” When that man touched the Ark, it was a “transgression” in the perfect sense of the word. And “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
At that point David was filled with anger, but it quickly turned into fear. He dared not take another step toward Jerusalem, so he found a house in a small community nearby. He ordered the owner to open up his barn, his shop, his living room, or perhaps it was his bedroom. The Ark of God’s Covenant with Israel was going to be staying at that man’s house until David and the priests could figure out what to do with it. “So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.”
Who is this Obededom?
My head tells me a little bit about him, but my heart wants to take another tack. This man is living between Kirjath-jearim and Jerusalem, so that puts him either northern Judah, southern Benjamin or where the tribe of Dan should have been – right in the heart of Israel. We might assume he was a descendent of one of those tribes – but there are two other possibilities. He was, certainly, one of those people whose families were delivered from Egypt through the Passover. We might use him to illustrate a New Testament Christian, just as we could do the same with David and Uzzah – the king, and the man who died for touching the Ark. We could argue that Obededom is a type of a Christian, and we could make some appropriate applications.
A second explanation about this man was propounded by the expositor A.W. Pink. Years ago – 1983 – my in-laws gave me what became my favorite commentary on “The Life of David.” But among the little bits of wisdom that I have gleaned in my 45 years as a Christian is that even the best commentators make mistakes. And you should remember that as you listen to me from week to week. I never intentionally try to mislead people, but I can from time to time accidentally do so. And I think that Pink makes a mistake in regard to Obededom.
In commenting on this chapter he wrote: “In the placing of the ark in the house of Obededom… there was a prophetic hint given of the Gentiles receiving what Israel failed to appreciate – so marvelously does God overrule even the failure of His people. Obededon was a Gittite, and the “Gittites” were Philistines (Joshua 13:3), the inhabitants of Gath (I Chronicles 20:5), yet many of them were devoted to the person and interest of David (II Samuel 5:18-21).”
What Pink says is true – in that the people of Gath were nicknamed “Gittites.” And it is true that one of the major cities of the Philistines was named Gath. Goliath was from Philistine Gath, and the Bible calls him a “Gittite,” just as it does Obededom. And it is also true that some Philistines from Gath loved David and devoted themselves to his crown. One such man was Ittai the Gittite. And that he was saved by the grace of God makes for a wonderful, wonderful illustration. Unfortunately, it is a mistake to say that Obededom was a Philistine. He was a Gittite – yes, but Philistine – no. As much as I would like to use him to preach the gospel to you, I can’t bring myself to do it. He was not a Gentile, saved by the grace of God, despite what A.W. Pink might have thought. He was religious Israelite who was saved by the grace of God.
When Joshua was carving up the Promised Land to give to the various tribes of Israel, detailed descriptions were made – particularly referring to towns and cities. And in Joshua 19 there is a place in the tribe of Dan called “Gath-rimmon.” Just as the people of Philistine Gath were called “Gittites,” so were the people of Gath-rimmon. Furthermore, in Joshua 21, we learn that Gath-rimmon became one of the cities of the Levites. The tribe of Levi, didn’t have a unified district in Israel, but rather they were given specific cities throughout the nation, so that they could lead Israel spiritually from right next door – from within. And even more specifically, it was that part of Levi, called the Kohathites, who took up residence in Gath-rimmon. And to the Kohathites was given the responsibility of caring for the furniture of the Tabernacle. The deposit of the Ark of the Covenant in Obededom’s house was very appropriate – He was supposed to have been trained in the care and treatment of this valuable religious article.
With that in mind, let’s consider the divine blessings upon the house of Obededom.
Was it simply because he was an Israelite? A Levite? Obviously not! Because the people of Bethshemesh were as much Israelites and Levites as Obededom. When the Ark rested among them, they forgot their respectful duties toward it, and God destroyed their village. They sinned, and they died, but their heritage and name, had nothing to do with what happened.
Was Obededom a God-blessed man because he was an Israelite? He was no more blessed for his nationality, than Americans are blessed for being Americans. God indeed blessed Israel with many, many earthly and secular blessings. The Lord drove out the Canaanites and gave that prosperous land to Israel. Of course that was in fulfilment of long-standing promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Lord multiplied Israel in population, food production, and all kinds of wealth. But listen America, spiritual blessings are not directly linked to secular blessings. Just as heart disease isn’t proof of sin, the fact that the enemy hasn’t yet destroyed this nation isn’t proof that God is pleased with our religiosity. Obededom was not blessed because he was an Israelite or a Levite. It reminds me of people who think that by joining a church the windows of Heaven will open and God’s gifts will fall into their laps. Membership in the local body of Christ is important, and even essential in some ways, but there is not a single Bible promise to church members, except as they relate to the Bride of Christ.
Well then, were these blessings of God on the house of Obededom because he was a servant of the Lord? Again the answer is negative. It is difficult to tell whether I Chronicles 15:16 and 16:5 are referring to the same man, but Obededom is not the most common of names. I’m going to assume that those verses are speaking about this man, and they describe him as a porter in the house of God, whatever that was, and that he was a skilled musician. But still that was not the reason that God blessed his house.
Have you ever noticed how self-important some people think they are because they serve God in special ways? I’ve known some singers who thought that they were goddesses, because they could hold an high C for an exceptionally long time. Pastors often have this problem, standing in the spot-light week after week, especially if their people constantly praise them. I’ve known some deacons who were so full of themselves that they were hard to endure. Every kind of servant of God is susceptible to the sin of pride. But this doesn’t seem to have been a problem with Obededom. Oh, but the people of Bethshemesh, whom God destroyed, were Levites and potential servants as well. God doesn’t bless the title that people wear, but sometimes He blesses how they wear the title. And yet, that isn’t the reason that Obededom was so blessed.
As I have said, the believer is illustrated here. “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” We have similar responsibilities to those of Obededom and the Bethshemites. We carry the blood of the sacrifice to the sinner. We are the priestly intercessors and blessers. We are to display and glorify the Ark of the Covenant before the believer and the unbeliever alike. We have sanctified lips and redeemed bodies that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. But these things don’t guarantee God’s great blessings, especially if we abuse our responsibilities. Anyone can hypocritically do all the right things for the Lord and still feel God’s displeasure. “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?” Serving the Lord is good, but that is not the reason that Obededom was blessed by God.
His house was blessed because the Ark of God was given a respected place there.
Remember that the Ark of the Covenant contained a copy of the Law of God – the Bible, if you will – and it was covered by the Mercy Seat where Israel’s sins were covered by blood of the Atonement. In a sense the Ark was an illustration, or type, of the presence of Jehovah. And this emblem of the Lord was brought into the house of Obededom.
I wonder if he was willing to accept it even before David insisted? The oxidental accident occurred not far from his house, and David wished to dump the Ark as quickly as possible. Obededom’s house was the first that David considered fit for the task. So it was thrust upon him, just as it had been upon the people of Jirjath-jearim.
But it is not an easy thing to invite God fully into one’s life or home. Obededom certainly knew about what happened to the Philistines, to Bethshemesh and to Uzzah. The fact that other people suffered in close proximity to the Ark, is just the reason that some people shy away from the Lord. “If I surrender to him, He will take from me all the things that I love. He may call my children to distant missions fields, and I’ll loose my grandparenthood. He may even kill me like he did Enoch, Stephen and Elijah.” Some people fear the presence of God because they aren’t willing to accept God’s special kindness.
The second reason that it’s not easy to bring the Ark home, is because we’ve not left Him any room. Here come Joseph and Mary, carrying with them Jesus, but there isn’t any room in Bethlehem for them. Oil and water don’t mix very well. The Ark can find no rest in the sin-filled heart or home. The Bible can’t rest easily on some book and magazine racks, because of the trash on them. The Lord can’t reside in the same house where some TV shows are regularly watched. And what about the disgusting jokes, and vile language, spoken in some “Christian” homes? How do you think Christ would react to a house filled with cigarette smoke and the stench of booze? He might go into that home to witness to that person as a lost man, but He’d leave soon thereafter. Would He reside in a home filled with rock music and rap music? At this moment Obededom is in Heaven praising God – because his house was previously well prepared.
But how can I have the Ark in my home today? First, He comes by way of salvation. Oh, yes, I know and believe in the omnipresence of Jehovah – He is everywhere. There is not a home in American where the Spirit of God cannot reach. But we’re talking about the blessings of God, not just His omniscience and omnipresence. The Lord doesn’t reside in a home where the way has not been prepared by salvation grace. As Paul said about Christian mothers sanctifying their husbands and children through their holiness… if there is just one member of that household who is a part of the household of faith, the Lord has an open door to abide and bless with abundance.
How can I have that Ark in my home? By giving the Word of God the prominence that it deserves. I have known people who attend church, Sunday after Sunday, but who shredded to pieces the messages and even the scripture texts they heard. They were people who had little respect toward the Word of the Lord. Where there is little respect for the Word of God, the God of the Word will have little respect for them. But if they’d be Berean-like souls, they would find the blessings of Obededom in their lives. If they would take that Bible out during the week and read, study, and search, the Lord would happily take up residence there. Sad to say, the Bible is a foreign book to most Christians during the midst of the week.
How may I have that Ark in my home? By putting into practice what is found in the pages of God’s Word. By living the principles and patterns that we find in the Bible. By knowing and loving and living the Book of Proverbs and the practical things of the epistles and gospels. By sharing and caring the salvation message to the lost and dying. By quitting sin when it is seen in the Word of God.
How can I have the ark in my home? By being a family of prayer. When Dad is the priestly leader of the home there will be the blessing of God. The very fact that the Bible, prayer and Christian living are absent from many Christian homes, explains the absence of God’s blessings. Going to church once, or twice, or even three times a week cannot make up for refusing the Ark at the door of our homes.
What specifically were the blessings referred to in Obededom’s case?
Some of the commentators say that God made the man financially rich. His flocks and herds just mushroomed in size and strength, or something like that. While probably true, it is interesting to note that the Bible doesn’t refer to anything specific. But whatever it was, it was obvious to those who knew the family, and that testimony made its way to David. I Chronicles 13:14 says that Obededom was “blessed in all that he had.” So let’s look at the question this way: what were the most important things in Obededom’s life? How was the house of Obededom blessed?
If he were like me, of all thing earthly, it would have to be his wife and family that he treasured most. And as we know, it takes a lot more than a certificate to keep any marriage alive and well. Despite good intentions, nearly 50% of all marriages crumble in the first five to ten years. Changes must be made to both parties when two people hitch their horses to the same plow. But those changes must be of the right kind. I have read that only one out of a thousand marriages break-up when Christians put the Bible at the center of their homes. If both husband and wife listen to the Bible and pray together, they learn together and they learn each other. God blessed all that he had, especially the bond between Obededom and his wife. Neither one caught any major sicknesses? No more financial problems? That is not what the Bible says. A person can be nigh unto death and still be filled with the blessings of Christ.
The second most important thing in Obededom’s life, must have been his children. That good man had five sons, and all were outstanding servants of God according to chapter 26. It needs to be noted that the Bible says nothing about giving those kids IQ tests. Nothing is said of exquisite beauty, or marriages to wealthy spouses. There are thousands of things more important than these. How about children who know how to behave in the House of God? There is the blessing of children who are courteous and respectful to adults. Nothing would bless some mothers’ hearts than to have children who show the love towards them. If the children displayed genuine love for the same God as Obededom, what a thrill that would be. In all probability these kids had the same faith as their father. Someone has said, “To our forefathers, our faith was an experience. To our fathers, our faith was an inheritance; to us our faith is a convenience. To our children, our faith is a nuisance.” Not so to these children, by the grace and blessing of the Lord.
It could have been that the Lord had built a hedge about those children. They were protected from all the pressures that youth in their day had to face. Or perhaps they had the strength to withstand them. Today more that 250,000 kids run away from their parents each year for one reason or another. 20% of adolescents smoke; 33% of all 6th graders drink alcohol. 50% of all teens have tried illegal drugs. But not the children of Obededom, because the Lord’s blessings were on that house.
And why were God’s blessings there? Because the Ark of the Covenant had a prominent place in that home. Of course I am not making any guarantees on behalf of the sovereign God. But when we set the table properly, it could be that the Lord will join the meal and even bring the dinner.
And if it can be true of Obededom, why can’t it be true of us?
It definitely can. The Ark of the Covenant is an Old Testament type or symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin.” And in their home would dwell the Living Ark of the Covenant.
There is no greater blessing to any home than that.