“Because you [the Levites] did not carry it [the ark] at the first, the LORD our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.” (1 Chr 15:13)
When David initially tried to bring the ark to Jerusalem, he did it with all good intentions. His desire was to seek God and bring about a revival of devotion to Jehovah in the nation (see 1 Chr 13:2-3). His intentions were sincere and entirely pure.
But David didn’t seek God according to the ordinance. Long ago, God had explained who (the Levites – Deut 10:8) and how (carried with poles – Ex 25:14) the ark was to be transported. David in his genuine zeal ignored those instructions and it led to the disastrous events that you can read about in 1 Chronicles 13.
Good intentions are not enough. We must know how God wishes to be loved and worshipped. If we seek him, no matter how sincerely and zealously, without paying attention to His Word… the results will be disastrous. Learn from David – zeal needs knowledge.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. (Rom 10:1-3)
Matt. 4:4 #Biblebites