Return to Our Topical Study of the Word: "Gather"

Well, I just opened the concordance to look for the next reference in the Old Testament using the word "gather" and the subject matter takes us back to king David. The reference is found in 1 Chronicles 13:2. The context of this chapter is similar to what was studied in the passages of Josiah and Hezekiah. David consults with his "captains" of thousands and hundreds, (the body of leadership) about what should be done next. Focus is turned to returning the Ark of the Covenant from Kirjathjearim to Jerusalem. This is the same chapter where Uzzah, (a non Levite) sets forth his hand to steady the ark and is smitten dead by God.

Before we address the story of Uzzah let us look at what David was doing. In verse 2 David has completed his deliberations with his captains and decides on the following course of action:

"And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering in of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jerim." (1 Chronicles 13:2-5)

David is gathering Israel for the purpose of restoring true covenant worship in Israel after the Northern and Southern kingdoms are united. Reference to the fact Saul stopped inquiring of the Lord during his fallen reign suggests David was returning to the practice of seeking the Lord's guidance at the Ark of the Covenant. In essence David was seeking to restore Israel's covenant relationship with the Lord.

Included in this restoration was the gathering of the priests and Levites, (a point that we have linked to Malachi 3:1-3 where the Lord promises to sanctify the Levites.)

The story of Uzzah also has a link to modern prophecy. In section 85 of the Doctrine & Covenants we note a veiled reference to the story of Uzzah:

"And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words: while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God; While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning." (D&C 85:7-8)

Preceding the rise of "one mighty and strong" will be someone who oversteps the bounds of his authority as Uzzah did when he steadied the ark. Interestingly, what Uzzah did was well intended, he simply exceeded the bounds of his authority. Only Levites were authorized to handle the ark and Uzzah was not a Levite. In the prophecy of "one mighty and strong" it is clear this prophetic figure replaces someone who oversteps their bounds even as David replaced fallen king Saul. There are similar types or examples of this in both modern and ancient history that are worthy of study by outside the scope of our current examination.

Another point (that may be coincidental or not) is that 1 Chronicles 12, the chapter prior to the gathering of Israel and the return of the ark by David contains an account of David's "mighty men". These men may represent the Lord's definition of what "one mighty and strong" may be. Couple the strength of David's mighty men with the spiritual strength of the "one mighty and strong" and you have someone of tremendous stature before the Lord. Another interesting point is to reflect on the type of person David would have to be to lead these types of men. Perhaps David may be a type for the "one mighty and strong." Note the "one mighty and strong" carries a "scepter", normally associated with kingship.

One story reveals the devotion the mighty men felt toward king David:

When David was in exile from Jerusalem he "longed, and said, Oh that one wold give me a drink of he water of the well of Beth-lehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord." (2 Samuel 23:13-16)

These men were a few of the "mighty men" of David and I doubt very seriously they would have followed David if he was not "mighty and strong."

Do you feel the scriptures becoming one our hands?