Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of II Samuel Chapter 6
Metaphysically Interpreting II Samuel 6:1-23
6:1And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 6:2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him, from Baale-judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Jehovah of hosts that sitteth above the cherubim. 6:3And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 6:4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. 6:5And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of instruments made of fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals.
6:6And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled. 6:7And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 6:8And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzzah; and he called that place Perez-uzzah, unto this day. 6:9And David was afraid of Jehovah that day; and he said, How shall the ark of Jehovah come unto me? 6:10So David would not remove the ark of Jehovah unto him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 6:11And the ark of Jehovah remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and Jehovah blessed Obed-edom, and all his house.
6:12And it was told king David, saying, Jehovah hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. And David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy. 6:13And it was so, that, when they that bare the ark of Jehovah had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 6:14And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 6:15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
6:16And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.
6:17And they brought in the ark of Jehovah, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah. 6:18And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of hosts. 6:19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to every one a cake of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed every one to his house.
6:20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 6:21And David said unto Michal, It was before Jehovah, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Jehovah, over Israel: therefore will I play before Jehovah. 6:22And I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight: but of the handmaids of whom thou hast spoken, of them shall I be had in honor. 6:23And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
October 4, 1903: II Sam. 6:1-12
The life of man is linked to the Divine Life by a law having its control of action deep down in the consciousness. Doctors call it the Law of Nature, which, if man could understand and conform to, he need never be sick. They tell us that nature does all the healing, and that the medicines they give are but aids to an adjustment of the body to this natural force. The Hebrews recognized this inner law as an agreement with the Lord, and its outer symbol was the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark of the Covenant was a chest of acacia wood, two and one-half cubits (three feet, nine inches) in length and one and one-half cubits (two feet, three inches) in height as well as width, plated within and without with gold. The lid was of solid gold, and was called the mercy seat. Upon it were two golden figures of winged cherubim, with their wings stretched out over the ark; and their faces turned toward each other. Within the ark were deposited the two tables of s tone engraved with the Ten Commandments, (Deut. 10:2). According to Heb. 9:4> the ark also contained Aaron's rod that budded, and a golden pot of manna. It belonged in the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the tabernacle, and was to be visited by the high priest, and by him only once a year, the Day of Atonement.
All of this is a detailed symbolical representation of the relation which the body bears to the Divine Mind. The wood represents the vegetable kingdom, the gold the mineral kingdom, and the cherubim the animal kingdom in its angelic purity. The tables of the law represent the directive and abiding intelligence.
When love rules in man S mind this inner law of God is brought forth to consciousness. It had been almost forgotten for seventy years at Kirjath-Jearim, meaning a place overgrown with trees.
Love brings harmony into the mind, and there is rejoicing (Baale), and praising (Judah).
Abinadab and his two sons, Uzzah and Ahio, refer to strength and the words of strength. The driving forth of the ark upon a new cart drawn by oxen refers to the activity of strength. Oxen always represent animal strength, in spiritual symbology.
The music and the dancing before the Lord is the harmony which should be affirmed in all the expressions of the Divine law.
This Ark of the Covenant, or Divine Nature in the human body, is subjective – that is, it lies below the plane of daily consciousness, and this lesson teaches of its bringing forth. In this process it passes through various planes of consciousness. One of these is the “threshing floor of Nachon,” which means a plane of consciousness where there is resistance. We often find ourselves almost unconsciously resisting the bubbling up within us of the forces which we have by our words brought into manifestation.
Uzzah means rebutting strength. There is a clash of strength ideas in consciousness, and as the dominant idea is love, all that is not under that law is dissolved, hence the death of Uzzah.
The lesson is that there should be no interference on the part of the external strength with the spiritual strength coming to the surface in its newness. If your strength seems wavering and unsteady at times, (“the oxen shook it”) do not attempt to “brace up” by any external aid. Trust to the Divine law and you will not find it necessary to delay the coming forth of the ark, as was the case with David in this lesson. David got afraid of the law of the Lord and left the ark at the house of Obed-Edom, meaning subjective life. When it was reported to him that blessing had come to this one's house he went and brought the ark into his own city.
The Ark of the Covenant, the Divine Natural Law of the human body, must be brought to consciousness by those who seek to regenerate the body. It is not a physical law, but spiritual, and we should so regard it in all our meditations and affirmations.
– UNITY magazine
August 25, 1918: II Sam. 6:1-12
What, in consciousness, does the “ark of God” represent? The “ark of God” is spiritual light within the soul. This original spark of divinity in man's being is his innate consciousness that all that the Father has is his birthright.
What, in this lesson, does “David” represent? “David” represents the I Am Love, the ruling factor in consciousness.
Explain the apparent neglect of the ark of God by David and his people, and their return to it. The Israelites had been at war. Warring states of mind lose sight of the Spirit. God's Word, or covenant, to the people of Israel prevailed and peace was restored. The mind that has overcome alien thoughts rests and turns to God.
What does the “house of Abinidab” in the hill represent? The “house of Abinidab” in the hill represents the Superconsciousness. Here the Spirit abides, and when the thoughts (Israelites) are turned to Spirit, there is an entirely new attitude; joy and gladness fill the soul.
Is this exalted stale of the soul all that is necessary to man's development? No. Spiritual quickening and understanding (the ark) must be brought down into the very center of the body consciousness (Jerusalem, the great brain center back of the heart).
Is it possible to make spiritual progress so long as mortal reasonings are resorted to in times of trial or inharmony? No. The spiritual law is perfect and must be relied upon.
What is the result when for a time the Spirit is lost sight of by the I Am and left to find any avenue of expression which may be receptive to its presence? There is a certain depression and dissatisfaction, more clearly felt at the heart center. The Spirit is faithful, however, and soon its presence and blessings are discerned somewhere in consciousness and it is then joyfully given its rightful place in Jerusalem (city of David) from where it sends its radiance to all parts of the body, harmonizing and redeeming the whole man, bringing forth the Christ.
August 1, 1920: II Sam. 6:1-19
What is the spiritual meaning of the “ark of the covenant”? The “ark of the covenant” symbolizes the sacred and holy meeting place between God and man; it is the original law of divinity in man's being.
In individual consciousness when the ark of the covenant is removed from the heart center, city of Jerusalem, what results? The spiritual forces are scattered. Because of a lack of a substantial basis from which to operate, no definite spiritual unfoldment can be carried on. It was therefore very necessary to establish this holy resting place, as David, the King of Love, well knew.
What is the Hebrew meaning of “Uzzah”? “Uzzah” means natural strength. When natural strength is called into activity to sustain and uphold that which is sublimely exalted, the attitude of mind which successfully makes the contact is holy reverence, honor mingled with love. When this quality is missing in the touch of the natural strength, the spiritual forces are of such a fine vibration that the natural strength is shattered to pieces.
Give the meaning of “Obededom.” The meaning of “Obededom” is “servant of Edom, or “Esau.” It is that which believes in serving others, especially pertaining to looking to the physical comforts of others.
What good came to the house of Obededom? Because the ark rested in the house of Obededom, great blessings were poured out upon all that dwelt therein, which proves that working with the Law always brings good, and that disobedience is the cause of destruction.
After David fully learned this lesson, what was he able to accomplish? He was able to successfully land the ark of the covenant in the City of Jerusalem, which insured a peace and a harmony and a spiritual progression, which had hitherto never been known to exist. “The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. “For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.”
August 14, 1927: II Sam. 6:12-15
What is represented by the ark of God, which brought blessings to the house of Obed-Edom? Obed-Edom means “one who serves.” When we give attention to our consciousness of God and seek to serve Him, many blessings are poured out upon us and upon our houses.
What is the significance of David's joyfully bringing the ark of God to his city? Under the rule of the will (King Saul) man neglects the worship of God, but when love (David) begins its reign in his consciousness, man quickly recognizes the value of divine service and reestablishes it in its high place in his consciousness.
What is represented by David's dancing before Jehovah? David's dancing before Jehovah represents the joy of love being released in all man's activities, including his body temple. David's dance was not sensuous, because he danced before the Lord, or divine law, and wore an ephod, which represented his priestly or sacred service.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 11-05-2013
