BIBL 105 Old Testament Bible Study Assignment
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Liberty University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
105
Subject
Religion
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by CorporalSealMaster1017
Name: Adam Seffens
Date: 10/25/2022
Section: (003)
Old Testament Bible Study Assignment
Passage: 2 Samuel 6:1-23
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of “The Ark Brought to
Jerusalem” found in 2 Samuel 6:1-23. You will use the template below in order to complete a
study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation,
Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in
Everyday Bible Study
.
I. Observation
A.
I have read 2 Samuel 6:1-23 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or
CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer.
Please use the translation provided in your digital library or found at Biblegateway.com
o
Yes
o
No
B.
Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2 similarities
and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. You may list as many
similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the minimum amount.
Similarity: they both say “David was angry” with God about Uzzah
Similarity: they both seemed to indicate that Uzzah had good intentions when reaching out
to hold the Ark
Difference: verse 22, functional translation said that David will humiliate himself in his
own eyes, but the formal translation said that he will be abased in the eyes of Michal
Difference: formal translation hyphenates Baalah-judah, while functional translation
separates Baalah and Judah
Difference: formal translation could possibly be read as God was “in the wrong” for
striking Uzzah down, while the functional does not have that potential miscommunication
C.
Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
David
Uzzah
Michal
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
David has the Ark and is bringing it into Jerusalem on a cart. On the way there, the oxen pulling
the cart stumble, and Uzzah reaches his hand out and touches the Ark to stabilize it. God strikes
Uzzah and does not allow David to bring the Ark into the city for the time being. David moved
the Ark into Obed-edom until he could move it into Jerusalem. Once he moved it to Jerusalem,
he rejoiced in a priestly garment. Michal looked with contempt on David for dancing and
uncovering himself while female servants were present. David said that he only uncovered
himself in front of the Lord.
3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words)
Note: Plot and Narrative Structure are not the same thing (see the tutorial and student example)
Intro: David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem
Inciting Incident: David puts the Ark on a cart instead of carrying it on poles
Rising Action: Uzzah touches the Ark and is struck down, David moves the Ark into the house of
Obed-edom
Climax: David brings the Ark into Jerusalem
Falling Action: Micah confronts David
Conclusion: David is right in the eyes of God, the Ark is in its place.
D.
List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to review chapters 17 and 33 in
Everyday Bible Study
. This will help you be
more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.”
Please be detailed and specific as you answer these six key questions.
1. Who:
David
Uzzah
Michal
2. What:
David has the Ark
Transports the Ark on cart
Uzzah touches the Ark, is struck down
Ark is moved into Obed-edom, Obed-edom is blessed
Ark is moved into city
David rejoices
Michal confronts David
David explains he is rejoicing in front of the Lord
3. Where:
Baale-judah
Threshing floor of Nacon
Perez-uzzah
House of Obed-edom
City of David
4. When:
During the rule of David
During the ministry of Samuel
Before the ministry of Nathan
5. Why:
Why was Uzzah struck down?
o
Because David did not follow God’s procedures on carrying the Ark, and Uzzah
touched the Ark
Why did David not bring the Ark into the city immediately?
o
He was afraid of the Lord
Why did Michal look down on David?
o
He undressed himself in front of his servants’ female servants
6. How
:
How did David mess up?
o
In Exodus, God ordered Aaron to carry the Ark by placing it on poles and having
two men carry it. David did not follow this rule, and moved the Ark on a cart
pulled by Oxen
II. Interpretation
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
A.
Summarize: Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words)
explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember
two things. First, this passage is made up of both action and dialogue. Thus, this passage
is both showing and telling us something. Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our”
are application words and not interpretation words. Thus, they should not be used in your
answer for this question. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not “here and now.”
We were not there so the passage is not about us. Our “part” in the passage is the
application or how we will respond to God’s Word.
The author’s main point in this passage is that it is of paramount importance to follow God’s
instructions. Because, as is shown in the passage, yours or other peoples’ lives could be on the
line if God’s instructions are not followed. I also think that the author wanted to display God’s
power and the severity of situations in which disobeying him would be easy if they became
complacent. Another possible intention that the author could have had would be to show how to
properly rejoice when the Lord provides a way for us to be with Him. David rejoiced for hours
with singing and dancing to the Lord.
B.
Identify: Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You
should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences. Once again, please remember
that words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our” are application words and not interpretation
words.
God is a god of justice. When people do not follow God’s laws, there are consequences to their
actions. When God allows us to do something that benefits us, even in our disobedience, the
people are to rejoice and give thanks to Him.
C.
Check: Consult at least one scholarly resource in order to offer support for the principle
that you believe the passage is teaching. Please consult the “Commentaries” as well as
the “Bible Dictionaries & Handbooks” tabs found on this research guide provided by the
Jerry Falwell Library.
BIBL105 Research Guide
III. Correlation
A.
How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State
what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length. It may be good to review chapter six in
Everyday Bible Study
in order to
recall what each of these four themes are about.
This is a redemptive story. The Ark of the Covenant had been outside of Israel’s possession for a
long time but was being brought back to Jerusalem by King David. Even after God’s anger was
kindled against them when Uzzah touched the Ark, God still gave them a way to bring the Ark
back into Jerusalem. God’s grace is shown in this story. This is shown through the fact that after
David did not follow God’s procedures for moving the Ark, God still allowed him to bring it into
the city of David. Of course, this was met with much rejoicing and worship for the Lord by the
people.
B.
How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you
have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation assignment. If your principle is a
true Biblical principle, it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the
principle discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures?
Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length. Be specific. List,
explain, and cite your supporting passage(s) from Scripture.
In 2 Kings 24, after the kingdom of Judah had been consistently disobedient towards the Lord,
He punished them by allowing King Nebuchadnezzar, the current king of Babylon, to invade and
force Judah to submit to him. Since they were disobedient, they were brutalized and dominated
by their enemies. This is an act of God’s justice, which knows no bias. Even though God has
promises towards a certain people, that does not mean that he isn’t willing to delay the
fulfillment of those promises in order to serve justice. However, God’s justice is not only
disciplinary. After many years under the rule of Babylon, the kingdom and people of Judah were
finally allowed to return to the promised land. We see this in the book of Ezra. King Cyrus made
a decree that allowed the Jewish people to leave Babylonian territory and reign and rebuild
God’s temple in Jerusalem. This was all possible because the people of Judah realigned
themselves with God’s will for them, and began to obey His commandments again. And after
that, before Jesus came, they did not fall back into disobedience, and therefore never lost favor
with God. Because of this, when Rome came, they were treated (mostly) fairly and were not
especially persecuted.
C.
How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (200-300
words) in length. Be specific. List, explain, and cite your supporting passage(s) from
Scripture.
God’s attribute of justice shines through Jesus through the fact that Jesus in and of himself was
the object on which God’s justice was brought down upon. Ever since the fall, God brought his
wrath down on humans on one of two things: either on people themselves, according to their
disobedience of His commands, or on sacrificial animals and other offerings. This was the
precedent set by God when, after Adam and Eve sinned against Him in the Garden of Eden, He
killed the spotless lamb in their stead. Ever after that, before Jesus came, in order for God’s
people to make themselves right in God’s eyes, they had to make offerings to cleanse themselves
of their sins. There was always an “object” that took the Justice of God instead of Him bringing
it directly on the people. This being said, the entire reason Jesus was sent to the earth was to
permanently take God’s wrath and justice off of the people who believe in Him, thus repairing
the chasm between God and Man that was created at the fall. Jesus’ death was the final act of
sacrifice, but instead of this sacrifice being made by man, it was made by God Himself, therefore
having an eternal effect that will never need to be renewed until the end of time.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the “Four Questions for Application?” State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of
these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
In this passage, David’s duty was to carry the ark of the covenant correctly and safely to the site
of the new Temple. He, however, did not follow God’s rules for carrying the ark. In Numbers,
God laid out a rule that only Levites (the house that made up the priests) were to carry the ark,
and they were to do so by inserting two acacia wood poles through the rings on either side of the
ark. Since David put it on a cart instead of following these rules, and when Uzzah reached out to
stabilize the ark, God became furious and struck Uzzah down. This is a good lesson to us, that
when God gives us commands on how to go about doing something, we follow those rules that
he laid out for us. The consequences may not be quite so severe, but in order to truly be obedient,
we must not be complacent and do things as God tells us.
B. The question of character
When the ark was allowed to be brought into the city of David, David’s true character really
shone through. He began praising the Lord extatically, with much singing and blessing those
around him. David showed his great gratitude towards the Lord for His provision. A grateful
heart is a heart that pleases the Lord. So, looking at this passage, we can learn a thing or two
from David. After he messed up, he realized that he was at fault, and when God allowed him to
go about his business, he showed his gratitude. We should always be grateful for all we have,
whether that be towards the Lord alone or towards the Lord and a person or group of people.
C. The question of goals
David’s goal in bringing the ark back to Jerusalem was to build the Lord his temple once again
on Holy ground. Our goals should always be oriented towards carrying out God’s will. This can
include God’s will for our life specifically, or for the lives of people around us. For our own
lives, we should always follow God’s direction for us by aligning ourselves with His word,
giving our worries and decisions to Him, and discerning what He would want for us. For the
lives of others, we should always do the kind and loving thing when presented with an
opportunity to help someone.
D. The question of discernment
David used his discernment to decide when he should bring the ark of the covenant into
Jerusalem. This was a tough choice for David, because he was fearful of disobeying God again
while carrying the covenant, and he didn’t want another one of his people to get struck down. He
also used discernment to decide that his method of worshipping God was right in His eyes. He
unclothed himself in front of his female servants, which generally would be looked down upon,
but his intentions were to humble himself before the Lord. This justified his actions. We should
use our discernment to decide what would and wouldn’t be justifiable in God’s eyes by looking
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
at what line of action would align with His commandments and what you believe His plan for
you is.