2 Samuel6
King James Version · Public Domain
1Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
3And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzza and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: and he called the name of the place Perez–uzzah to this day.
9And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?
10So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed–edom the Gittite.
11And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed–edom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obed–edom, and all his household.
12And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed–edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed–edom into the city of David with gladness.
13And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
17And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.
19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
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!
21And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.
22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The ark removed from Kirjath-jearim. (1–5). Uzzah smitten for touching the ark, Obed-edom blessed. (6–11). David brings the ark to Zion. (12–19). Michal's ill conduct. (20–23).
vv1-5
God is present with the souls of his people, when they want the outward tokens of his presence; but now David is settled in the throne, the honour of the ark begins to revive. Let us learn hence, to think and to speak highly of God; and to think and speak honourably of holy ordinances, which are to us as the ark was unto Israel, the tokens of God's presence, Mt 28:20. Christ is our Ark; in and by him God manifests his favour, and accepts our prayers and praises. The ark especially typified Christ and his mediation, in which the name of Jehovah and all his glories are displayed. The priests should have carried the ark upon their shoulders. Philistines may carry the ark in a cart without suffering for it; but if Israelites do so, it is at their peril, because this was not what God appointed.
vv6-11
Uzzah was struck dead for touching the ark. God saw presumption and irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Familiarity, even with that which is most awful, is apt to breed contempt. If it were so great a crime for one to lay hold on the ark of the covenant who had no right to do so, what is it for those to lay claim to the privileges of the covenant that come not up to the terms of it? Obed-edom opened his doors without fear, knowing the ark was a savour of death unto death to those only who treated it wrong. The same hand that punished Uzzah's proud presumption, rewarded Obed-edom's humble boldness. Let none think the worse of the gospel for the judgments on those that reject it, but consider the blessings it brings to all who receive it. Let masters of families be encouraged to keep up religion in their families. It is good to live in a family that entertains the ark, for all about it will fare the better.
vv12-19
It became evident, that happy was the man who had the ark near him. Christ is indeed a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, to those that are disobedient; but to those that believe, he is a Corner-stone, elect, precious, 1Pe 2:6–8. Let us be religious. Is the ark a blessing to others' houses? We may have it, and the blessing of it, without fetching it away from our neighbours. David, at first setting out, offered sacrifices to God. We are likely to speed in our enterprises, when we begin with God, and give diligence to seek peace with him. And we are so unworthy, and our services are so defiled, that all our joy in God must be connected with repentance and faith in the Redeemer's atoning blood. David attended with high expressions of joy. We ought to serve God with our whole body and soul, and with every endowment and power we possess. On this occasion David laid aside his royal robes, and put on a plain linen dress. David prayed with and for the people, and as a prophet, solemnly blessed them in the name of the Lord.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
יָסַף: to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
אָסַף: to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
בָּחַר: properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שְׁלוֹשִׁים: thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
אֶלֶף: hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
קוּם: to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יָלַךְ: to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Samuel 6Parallel account detailing how they carried the ark of God in a new cart from Abinadab's house.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel record of Uzza reaching out his hand at Chidon's (Nachon's) threshingfloor.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account confirming the Lord smote Uzza so that he died before God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David corrects the error, noting the breach occurred because they did not seek God after the due order.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Law forbidding Levites to touch holy things and commanding them to bear the ark on shoulders.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Statute directing that the service of the sanctuary belonged unto the sons of Kohath upon shoulders.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account recording that the ark remained with Obed-edom three months and was blessed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account describing Michal, Saul's daughter, looking through a window and despising David.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel record of setting the ark in the tent David had pitched.
Supported by JFB
Parallel account of David blessing the people in the name of the Lord after offerings.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel of David distributing bread, meat, and wine to every Israelite.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Philistines' use of a new cart, which Israel improperly imitated.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prior fatal divine judgment on the men of Beth-shemesh for looking into the ark irreverently.
Supported by JFB
Parallel account of David's fear and his question of how to bring the ark to him.
Supported by JFB
David declares none ought to carry the ark but the Levites, rectifying the initial error.
Supported by JFB