Dancing in the World
2 Samuel 6:1-23
6 David again gathered all the chosen men of 
Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David and all the people 
with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to 
bring up from there the ark of God, which is called 
by the name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned 
on the cherubim… 5 David and all the house of 
Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their 
might, with songs and lyres and harps and 
tambourines and castanets and cymbals…17 They 
brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its 
place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; 
and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before 
the LORD. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings 
and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name 
of the LORD of hosts, 19 and distributed food among all the people, 
the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a 
cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the 
people went back to their homes. 
What a spectacle it must have been as a beautifully ornate ark was being 
carried parade-style with musicians lyrically announcing its coming while 
David, the king, was dancing jubilantly around it. 2 Samuel 6:1-23 illustrates 
a story of David, the youngest son of Jesse, stepping fully into his kingship 
as he moved the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The ark was the most 
sacred symbol of God for the people of Israel. It represented God’s 
enthroned presence so moving the ark to Jerusalem established and 
legitimized David’s rule as king! David had a reason to dance. He was now 
going to be respected as Israel’s leader – personally, spiritually and 
politically. Politically?
God has never been a God that was impotent in the world community. God 
has never been and is never going to be relegated to a box. As Christians 
today, we are tempted to limit God’s power and influence to exist only within 
the walls of the church but what about the God who was fully present, on the 
move and celebratory of whom David gave witness? Do you allow God to 
move in your life? Our call is to be joyous that God is bringing new growth, 
love and hope to our lives. So go and dance with all your might!