Past Commentary by a Common Terry
Contagious living
July 19, 2026
King David knew how to lead. While he recognized and often exerted the power of the kingship, he also realized that people could respond to more than commands or threats. Many times in the King David narrative in II Samuel, he certainly gave commands and issued orders. They were followed and heeded by his commanders, warriors, advisors, and citizens.
But is that the only way to bring people to the behavioral place they need to be? I mean, if ordered by the king to act a certain way or do a specific thing, it’s not really a stretch to do it. But the heart may be far, far removed from the action. The person obeying the king might hate every moment of submission.
The people felt what King David felt. They responded to his mood, moment, or reaction to whatever may come. Even though Saul tried to kill David, repeatedly, David mourned his death. And when he mourned, the people mourned. He led them to where they should be. In II Samuel 1, when David tore his clothes in grief, his men followed suit. They all mourned and wept and fasted. Not just David. He wrote a lament in memory of Saul and Jonathan. It is in II Samuel 1:19-27. It was recorded in the book of Jashar and was taught to the people of Judah.
For about seventy years, the Ark of the Covenant was removed from Jerusalem before David returned it. He not only expected the people to celebrate and worship during this significant event, but he showed them. He demonstrated to them how to honor God and the Ark incorrectly as well as correctly. (II Samuel 6)
The first time, they put the Ark on a cart and pulled it along, but not in the way it was supposed to be done. David and “all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord.” (II Samuel 6:5) However, David’s casual air concerning the treatment of the Ark cost Uzzah his life and scared David.
It was another three months before David dared try it again, but this time was different. The focus was first on the Ark and not on the celebration. David saw to it that the Ark was carried the way the Law of Moses instructed. Poles were slipped through rings attached to the outer chest of the Ark. These poles were situated on the shoulders of the Levitical priests, specifically those of the Kohathite clan. Sacrifices were offered. It was a transport befitting of the most holy relic they had that represented the Presence of God.
Only then was there rejoicing and shouting and dancing before the Lord. II Samuel 6:15 says that David and the house of Israel brought the Ark to Jerusalem with horns and shouting. David was not sitting in the background commanding worship. He was out front, demonstrating worship.
David knew that he was not only the king, but he established the spiritual temperature of the nation. He wrote about a third of the Psalms that are in the book. They were used by the people to worship, mourn, praise, introspect, and discover. David had no intention of keeping his spiritual walk with God under wraps.
Now, let me be clear: some aspects of life, and life with God, are private. Very private! They are between God and the individual and no one else. As it should be. But not every part of our spiritual walk is to be secretive. I do not agree with the sentiment that a person’s spiritual relationship to God is exclusively a private matter. That is contrary to God’s design for how the Christian message and His presence spreads. It is intended to interact with and influence other people. It is intended to be contagious.
In joy and in sadness and everywhere in between on the spectrum, God intends for us to show people how to be godly in sadness and tragedy. He wants us to influence people in our worship and celebration of faith. We let our light shine so people can see God through us. We bear fruit that people can recognize. We demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, not only teaching people, but drawing them toward the same way of life.
Consider how you demonstrate life. People will see. They might join you. They will certainly come to some conclusions. Whether it be “celebrate with me” or “mourn with me,” they can draw closer to God with us on our journey.
But is that the only way to bring people to the behavioral place they need to be? I mean, if ordered by the king to act a certain way or do a specific thing, it’s not really a stretch to do it. But the heart may be far, far removed from the action. The person obeying the king might hate every moment of submission.
The people felt what King David felt. They responded to his mood, moment, or reaction to whatever may come. Even though Saul tried to kill David, repeatedly, David mourned his death. And when he mourned, the people mourned. He led them to where they should be. In II Samuel 1, when David tore his clothes in grief, his men followed suit. They all mourned and wept and fasted. Not just David. He wrote a lament in memory of Saul and Jonathan. It is in II Samuel 1:19-27. It was recorded in the book of Jashar and was taught to the people of Judah.
For about seventy years, the Ark of the Covenant was removed from Jerusalem before David returned it. He not only expected the people to celebrate and worship during this significant event, but he showed them. He demonstrated to them how to honor God and the Ark incorrectly as well as correctly. (II Samuel 6)
The first time, they put the Ark on a cart and pulled it along, but not in the way it was supposed to be done. David and “all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord.” (II Samuel 6:5) However, David’s casual air concerning the treatment of the Ark cost Uzzah his life and scared David.
It was another three months before David dared try it again, but this time was different. The focus was first on the Ark and not on the celebration. David saw to it that the Ark was carried the way the Law of Moses instructed. Poles were slipped through rings attached to the outer chest of the Ark. These poles were situated on the shoulders of the Levitical priests, specifically those of the Kohathite clan. Sacrifices were offered. It was a transport befitting of the most holy relic they had that represented the Presence of God.
Only then was there rejoicing and shouting and dancing before the Lord. II Samuel 6:15 says that David and the house of Israel brought the Ark to Jerusalem with horns and shouting. David was not sitting in the background commanding worship. He was out front, demonstrating worship.
David knew that he was not only the king, but he established the spiritual temperature of the nation. He wrote about a third of the Psalms that are in the book. They were used by the people to worship, mourn, praise, introspect, and discover. David had no intention of keeping his spiritual walk with God under wraps.
Now, let me be clear: some aspects of life, and life with God, are private. Very private! They are between God and the individual and no one else. As it should be. But not every part of our spiritual walk is to be secretive. I do not agree with the sentiment that a person’s spiritual relationship to God is exclusively a private matter. That is contrary to God’s design for how the Christian message and His presence spreads. It is intended to interact with and influence other people. It is intended to be contagious.
In joy and in sadness and everywhere in between on the spectrum, God intends for us to show people how to be godly in sadness and tragedy. He wants us to influence people in our worship and celebration of faith. We let our light shine so people can see God through us. We bear fruit that people can recognize. We demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, not only teaching people, but drawing them toward the same way of life.
Consider how you demonstrate life. People will see. They might join you. They will certainly come to some conclusions. Whether it be “celebrate with me” or “mourn with me,” they can draw closer to God with us on our journey.