I love the underlying theme of this part of the Old Testament. In all that is revealed about the frailty and sinfulness of humankind, as consistent is the revelation of God’s favor. 5:5 is the often repeated phrase, “the Lord was with him.” Every time human beings are used by God and there is victory and the advance of God’s kingdom, it is attributed to the fact that “the Lord was with” the person, or the “favor of God” was on the person. How I pray for that to be true for my meager attempts to serve God.
The factor of human involvement that is parallel to God being with a person is that person “inquiring of God” for guidance and wisdom in order to know what to do. 5:5, 23, are examples of this. Unlike most of David’s predecessors, he sought the Lord for direction in leading the people. This, too, I want to be true for me.
Chapter six is an interesting mix of God’s great power and humankinds great sin. The instructions regarding care of the ark were explicit. The rings and rods to carry it were designed so that no person would touch what was holy. This was a visible symbol to the people of the great and awesome holiness of God. Even though his intention was to protect the ark from falling, Uzzah underestimates the seriousness of obeying the commands of God (does God need to be protected?) and he touches the ark and is struck dead for this reason. Even David is angry with God about this. (vs. 
Again, more important than the specifics of the circumstances are the principles that are being taught to Israel as they are formed as God’s people and being prepared to carry the promise of God for salvation for all people. The right worship of God and the salvation of the world is the highest end to which God uses all of history.
Another interesting interplay of God’s power and human sin is revealed in chapter six. David has obeyed the Lord and is triumphant over his enemies and returns rejoicing with song and dance. His wife Michal sees him and is jealous and she “despises him” because of it (6:16). David’s response to her is the source for one of my favorite contemporary Christian songs, “Undignified.” GIVEN has led us in this song of worship a couple of occasions. David tells Michal that for the sake of worship and praise he will be even more “contemptible” than this! The song says, “Nothing Lord, is hindering this passion in my soul!” Oh that we would abandon ourselves in worship this way!
Chapter 7 has a wonderful example of the primacy of God’s plans over human plans. David, out of exuberance for all that God has done decides to build God a house. But, to his credit, he asks Nathan, the prophet to inquire of God, as he has always done. God responds by saying, basically, “Have I asked you to do this? Did I say I needed a house?” Then he reveals to David that indeed, he will be built a house, but not by David, but by one of David’s offspring. Even the best of intentions are subject to the will of God and to God’s plan. That is why the scripture says, “Man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov. 16:9)
Finally chapter eight repeats the significance of the Lord’s hand in all that is accomplished in his name. The Lord “brought victory wherever David went.” (8:6, 14). God is the one at work behind the scenes of all history using whatever circumstances and situations and people are available in order to accomplish his purposes. There is never any doubt, if one reads carefully, who is in charge and who is the One who has control of all of history. It is the Lord strong and mighty! It is the Holy One of Israel!