2 Samuel 19-20

Luke 18:1-23

“I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”       —Psalm 145:1-3

After the period of judges, where everyone did what
was right in their own eyes, we enter into the period of the kings. Of all the kings, King David demonstrated a life of faithful worship to the Lord whether things were going well or not. 

During David’s rule, he celebrated the Ark of the Covenant going into the City of David. 2 Samuel 6:12-15 tells us, “David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” David celebrated the return of the Ark of the Covenant by dancing unrestrained and wild before God. Later, when David returned home, Michal, his wife, came to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” (2 Samuel 6:20). David responded, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD” (2 Samuel 6:21). Although David’s actions were undignified, he was expressing his joy and delight in worship.

Later in life, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, and she conceived a child. When Nathan rebuked David regarding this sin, he said, “But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die” (2 Samuel 12:14). After hearing Nathan’s news, David’s son with Bathsheba became sick. “David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground” (2 Samuel 12:16). In David’s despair, he went to the altar of God, pleading for His mercy, but true to God’s Word, the child died. “Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshipped” (2 Samuel 12:20). The first thing David did upon the passing of his child was to go into the house of the Lord and worship. 

David’s life shows us that worshipping God is not dependent on the circumstances of our life. In every season of our life, we can come before the altar of God and offer our worship.

Glorious God, I come before You in humble worship. Whether I am rejoicing in Your greatness or going through a trial, I want to worship You no matter what life brings me. Thank You, Lord.