1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 And 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 cherubim.
3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5 And 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.
6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
10 So 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 Obededom the Gittite.
11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, 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 Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 And 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.
17 And 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.
18 And 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.
19 And 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.
20 Then 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!
21 And 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.
22 And 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 honor.
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
1 Again, David H1732 gathered together H622 H3254 all the chosen H977 men of Israel, H3478 thirty H7970 thousand. H505
2 And David H1732 arose, H6965 and went H3212 with all the people H5971 that were with him from Baale of Judah, H1184 to bring up H5927 from thence the ark H727 of God, H430 whose name H8034 is called H7121 by the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 that dwelleth H3427 between the cherubims. H3742
3 And they set H7392 the ark H727 of God H430 upon a new H2319 cart, H5699 and brought H5375 it out of the house H1004 of Abinadab H41 that was in Gibeah: H1390 and Uzzah H5798 and Ahio, H283 the sons H1121 of Abinadab, H41 drave H5090 the new H2319 cart. H5699
4 And they brought H5375 it out of the house H1004 of Abinadab H41 which was at Gibeah, H1390 accompanying H5973 the ark H727 of God: H430 and Ahio H283 went H1980 before H6440 the ark. H727
5 And David H1732 and all the house H1004 of Israel H3478 played H7832 before H6440 the LORD H3068 on all manner of instruments made of fir H1265 wood, H6086 even on harps, H3658 and on psalteries, H5035 and on timbrels, H8596 and on cornets, H4517 and on cymbals. H6767
6 And when they came H935 to Nachon's H5225 threshingfloor, H1637 Uzzah H5798 put forth H7971 his hand to the ark H727 of God, H430 and took hold H270 of it; for the oxen H1241 shook H8058 it.
7 And the anger H639 of the LORD H3068 was kindled H2734 against Uzzah; H5798 and God H430 smote H5221 him there for his error; H7944 and there he died H4191 by the ark H727 of God. H430
8 And David H1732 was displeased, H2734 because the LORD H3068 had made H6555 a breach H6556 upon Uzzah: H5798 and he called H7121 the name of the place H4725 Perezuzzah H6560 to this day. H3117
9 And David H1732 was afraid H3372 of the LORD H3068 that day, H3117 and said, H559 How shall the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 come H935 to me?
10 So David H1732 would H14 not remove H5493 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 unto him into the city H5892 of David: H1732 but David H1732 carried it aside H5186 into the house H1004 of Obededom H5654 the Gittite. H1663
11 And the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 continued H3427 in the house H1004 of Obededom H5654 the Gittite H1663 three H7969 months: H2320 and the LORD H3068 blessed H1288 Obededom, H5654 and all his household. H1004
12 And it was told H5046 king H4428 David, H1732 saying, H559 The LORD H3068 hath blessed H1288 the house H1004 of Obededom, H5654 and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark H727 of God. H430 So David H1732 went H3212 and brought up H5927 the ark H727 of God H430 from the house H1004 of Obededom H5654 into the city H5892 of David H1732 with gladness. H8057
13 And it was so, that when they that bare H5375 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 had gone H6805 six H8337 paces, H6806 he sacrificed H2076 oxen H7794 and fatlings. H4806
14 And David H1732 danced H3769 before H6440 the LORD H3068 with all his might; H5797 and David H1732 was girded H2296 with a linen H906 ephod. H646
15 So David H1732 and all the house H1004 of Israel H3478 brought up H5927 the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 with shouting, H8643 and with the sound H6963 of the trumpet. H7782
16 And as the ark H727 of the LORD H3068 came H935 into the city H5892 of David, H1732 Michal H4324 Saul's H7586 daughter H1323 looked H8259 through a window, H2474 and saw H7200 king H4428 David H1732 leaping H6339 and dancing H3769 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 and she despised H959 him in her heart. H3820
17 And they brought H935 in the ark H727 of the LORD, H3068 and set H3322 it in his place, H4725 in the midst H8432 of the tabernacle H168 that David H1732 had pitched H5186 for it: and David H1732 offered H5927 burnt offerings H5930 and peace offerings H8002 before H6440 the LORD. H3068
18 And as soon as David H1732 had made an end H3615 of offering H5927 burnt offerings H5930 and peace offerings, H8002 he blessed H1288 the people H5971 in the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 of hosts. H6635
19 And he dealt H2505 among all the people, H5971 even among the whole multitude H1995 of Israel, H3478 as well to the women H802 as men, H376 to every one H376 a H259 cake H2471 of bread, H3899 and a good piece H829 of flesh, and a flagon H809 of wine. So all the people H5971 departed H3212 every one H376 to his house. H1004
20 Then David H1732 returned H7725 to bless H1288 his household. H1004 And Michal H4324 the daughter H1323 of Saul H7586 came out H3318 to meet H7125 David, H1732 and said, H559 How glorious H3513 was the king H4428 of Israel H3478 to day, H3117 who uncovered H1540 himself to day H3117 in the eyes H5869 of the handmaids H519 of his servants, H5650 as one H259 of the vain fellows H7386 shamelessly H1540 uncovereth H1540 himself!
21 And David H1732 said H559 unto Michal, H4324 It was before H6440 the LORD, H3068 which chose H977 me before thy father, H1 and before all his house, H1004 to appoint H6680 me ruler H5057 over the people H5971 of the LORD, H3068 over Israel: H3478 therefore will I play H7832 before H6440 the LORD. H3068
22 And I will yet be more vile H7043 than thus, H2063 and will be base H8217 in mine own sight: H5869 and of the maidservants H519 which thou hast spoken H559 of, of them shall I be had in honour. H3513
23 Therefore Michal H4324 the daughter H1323 of Saul H7586 had no child H2056 H3206 unto the day H3117 of her death. H4194
1 And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him, from Baale-judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Jehovah of hosts that sitteth `above' the cherubim.
3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5 And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of `instruments made of' fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals.
6 And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth `his hand' to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled.
7 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8 And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzzah; and he called that place Perez-uzzah, unto this day.
9 And David was afraid of Jehovah that day; and he said, How shall the ark of Jehovah come unto me?
10 So David would not remove the ark of Jehovah unto him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11 And the ark of Jehovah remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and Jehovah blessed Obed-edom, and all his house.
12 And it was told king David, saying, Jehovah hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. And David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.
13 And it was so, that, when they that bare the ark of Jehovah had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.
14 And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.
17 And they brought in the ark of Jehovah, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.
18 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of hosts.
19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to every one a cake of bread, and a portion `of flesh', and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20 Then 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!
21 And David said unto Michal, `It was' before Jehovah, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Jehovah, over Israel: therefore will I play before Jehovah.
22 And I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight: but of the handmaids of whom thou hast spoken, of them shall I be had in honor.
23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
1 And David gathered again every chosen one in Israel, thirty thousand,
2 and David riseth and goeth, and all the people who `are' with him, from Baale-Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God, whose name hath been called -- the name of Jehovah of Hosts, inhabiting the cherubs -- upon it.
3 And they cause the ark of God to ride on a new cart, and lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which `is' in the height, and Uzzah and Ahio sons of Abinadab are leading the new cart;
4 and they lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which `is' in the height, with the ark of God, and Ahio is going before the ark,
5 and David and all the house of Israel are playing before Jehovah, with all kinds of `instruments' of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cornets, and with cymbals.
6 And they come unto the threshing-floor of Nachon, and Uzzah putteth forth `his hand' unto the ark of God, and layeth hold on it, for they released the oxen;
7 and the anger of Jehovah burneth against Uzzah, and God smiteth him there for the error, and he dieth there by the ark of God.
8 And it is displeasing to David, because that Jehovah hath broken forth a breach upon Uzzah, and `one' calleth that place Perez-Uzzah, unto this day;
9 and David feareth Jehovah on that day, and saith, `How doth the ark of Jehovah come in unto me?'
10 And David hath not been willing to turn aside unto himself the ark of Jehovah, to the city of David, and David turneth it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite,
11 and the ark of Jehovah doth inhabit the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months, and Jehovah blesseth Obed-Edom and all his house.
12 And it is declared to king David, saying, `Jehovah hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he hath, because of the ark of God;' and David goeth and bringeth up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the city of David with joy.
13 And it cometh to pass, when those bearing the ark of Jehovah have stepped six steps, that he sacrificeth an ox and a fatling.
14 And David is dancing with all strength before Jehovah, and David is girded with a linen ephod,
15 and David and all the house of Israel are bringing up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the voice of a trumpet,
16 and it hath come to pass, the ark of Jehovah hath come in to the city of David, and Michal daughter of Saul, hath looked through the window, and seeth king David moving and dancing before Jehovah, and despiseth him in her heart.
17 And they bring in the ark of Jehovah, and set it up in its place, in the midst of the tent which David hath spread out for it, and David causeth to ascend burnt-offerings before Jehovah, and peace-offerings.
18 And David finisheth from causing to ascend the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings, and blesseth the people in the name of Jehovah of Hosts,
19 and he apportioneth to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, from man even unto woman, to each, one cake of bread, and one eshpar, and one ashisha, and all the people go, each to his house.
20 And David turneth back to bless his house, and Michal daughter of Saul goeth out to meet David, and saith, `How honourable to-day was the king of Israel, who was uncovered to-day before the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain ones is openly uncovered!'
21 And David saith unto Michal, `-- Before Jehovah, who fixed on me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me leader over the people of Jehovah, and over Israel, -- yea, I played before Jehovah;
22 and I have been more vile than this, and have been low in mine eyes, and with the handmaids whom thou hast spoken of, with them I am honoured.'
23 As to Michal daughter of Saul, she had no child till the day of her death.
1 And David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 And David arose and went with all the people that were with him from Baale-Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God which is called by the name, the name of Jehovah of hosts who sitteth between the cherubim.
3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was upon the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4 And they brought it with the ark of God out of the house of Abinadab which was upon the hill; and Ahio went before the ark.
5 And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah on all manner of [instruments made of] cypress wood, with harps, and with lutes, and with tambours, and with sistra, and with cymbals.
6 And when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah reached after the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen had stumbled.
7 And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8 And David was indignant, because Jehovah had made a breach upon Uzzah; and he called that place Perez-Uzzah to this day.
9 And David was afraid of Jehovah that day, and said, How shall the ark of Jehovah come to me?
10 So David would not bring the ark of Jehovah home unto himself into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
11 And the ark of Jehovah remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months; and Jehovah blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.
12 And it was told king David, saying, Jehovah has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that is his, because of the ark of God. And David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David with joy.
13 And it was so, that when they that bore the ark of Jehovah had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatted beast.
14 And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 And David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 And as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.
17 And they brought in the ark of Jehovah, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had spread for it. And David offered up burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.
18 And when David had ended offering up the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of hosts.
19 And he dealt to all the people, to the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to every one a cake of bread, and a measure [of wine], and a raisin-cake. And all the people departed every one to his house.
20 And David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How honourable did the king of Israel make himself to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the lewd fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!
21 And David said to Michal, It was before Jehovah, who chose me rather than thy father, and than all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of Jehovah, over Israel; and I played before Jehovah.
22 And I will make myself yet more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight; and of the handmaids that thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
1 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Yahweh of Hosts who sits [above] the cherubim.
3 They set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4 They brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5 David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all manner of [instruments made of] fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with cymbals.
6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled.
7 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day.
9 David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, How shall the ark of Yahweh come to me?
10 So David would not remove the ark of Yahweh to him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11 The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and Yahweh blessed Obed-edom, and all his house.
12 It was told king David, saying, Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God. David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.
13 It was so, that, when those who bore the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14 David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 It was so, as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.
17 They brought in the ark of Yahweh, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace-offerings before Yahweh.
18 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Hosts.
19 He dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a cake of bread, and a portion [of flesh], and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house.
20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!
21 David said to Michal, [It was] before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel: therefore will I play before Yahweh.
22 I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight: but of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, they shall honor me.
23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
1 And David got together all the fighting-men of Israel to the number of thirty thousand;
2 And David, and all the people who were with him, went to Baal of Judah to get the ark of God, over which the holy name is named, the name of the Lord of armies, whose place is between the winged ones.
3 And they put the ark of God on a new cart and took it out of the house of Abinadab which was on the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were the drivers of the cart.
4 And Uzzah went by the side of the ark, while Ahio went before it.
5 And David and all the men of Israel made melody before the Lord with all their power, with songs and with corded instruments and instruments of brass.
6 And when they came to Nacon's grain-floor, Uzzah put his hand on the ark of God to keep it safe in its place, for the oxen were out of control.
7 And the wrath of the Lord, burning against Uzzah, sent destruction on him because he had put his hand on the ark, and death came to him there by the ark of God.
8 And David was angry because of the Lord's outburst of wrath against Uzzah: and he gave that place the name Perez-uzzah, which is its name to this day.
9 And such was David's fear of the Lord that day, that he said, How may I let the ark of God come to me?
10 So David did not let the ark of the Lord come back to him to the town of David: but had it turned away and put into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11 And the ark of the Lord was in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months: and the Lord sent a blessing on Obed-edom and all his family.
12 And they said to King David, The blessing of the Lord is on the family of Obed-edom and on all he has, because of the ark of God. And David went and took the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the town of David with joy.
13 And when those who were lifting the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he made an offering of an ox and a fat young beast.
14 And David, clothed in a linen ephod, was dancing before the Lord with all his strength.
15 So David and all the men of Israel took up the ark of the Lord with cries of joy and sounding of horns.
16 And when the ark of the Lord came into the town of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looking out of the window, saw King David dancing and jumping before the Lord; and to her mind he seemed foolish.
17 And they took in the ark of the Lord, and put it in its place inside the tent which David had put up for it: and David made burned offerings and peace-offerings to the Lord.
18 And after David had made the burned offerings and the peace-offerings, he gave the people a blessing in the name of the Lord of armies.
19 And he gave to every man and woman among all the people, among all the masses of Israel, a cake of bread and a measure of wine and a cake of dry grapes. Then all the people went away, every man to his house.
20 Then David came back to give a blessing to his family. And Michal, Saul's daughter, came out to him and said, How full of glory was the king of Israel today, who let himself be seen uncovered by his servant-girls like a foolish person uncovering himself without shame!
21 And David said to Michal, I was dancing before the Lord, who put me over your father and all his sons, to make me a ruler over the people of the Lord, over his people Israel: and I will go on playing before the Lord;
22 And I will do even worse than this, and make myself even lower in your eyes: but the servant-girls of whom you were talking will give me honour.
23 And Michal, Saul's daughter, had no child till the day of her death.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Samuel 6
Commentary on 2 Samuel 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
2Sa 6:1-5. David Fetches the Ark from Kirjath-jearim on a New Cart.
1. Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel—(See 2Sa 5:1). The object of this second assembly was to commence a national movement for establishing the ark in Jerusalem, after it had continued nearly fifty years in the house of Abinadab (see on 1Ch 13:1).
2. from Baale of Judah—A very large force of picked men were selected for this important work lest the undertaking might be opposed or obstructed by the Philistines. Besides, a great concourse of people accompanied them out of veneration for the sacred article. The journey to Baale, which is related (1Ch 13:6), is here presupposed, and the historian describes the course of the procession from that place to the capital.
3. they set the ark of God upon a new cart—or a covered wagon (see on 1Sa 6:7). This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violation of an express statute (see on Nu 4:15 and see Nu 7:9; 18:3).
2Sa 6:6-11. Uzzah Smitten.
6-8. they came to Nachon's threshing-floor—or Chidon's (1Ch 13:9). The Chaldee version renders the words, "came to the place prepared for the reception of the ark," that is, near the city of David (2Sa 6:13).
the oxen shook it—or, "stumbled" (1Ch 13:9). Fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under the impulse of momentary feeling, laid hold of it to keep it steady. Whether it fell and crushed him, or some sudden disease attacked him, he fell dead upon the spot. This melancholy occurrence not only threw a cloud over the joyous scene, but entirely stopped the procession; for the ark was left where it then was, in the near neighborhood of the capital. It is of importance to observe the proportionate severity of the punishments attending the profanation of the ark. The Philistines suffered by diseases, from which they were relieved by their oblations, because the law had not been given to them [1Sa 5:8-12]; the Bethshemites also suffered, but not fatally [1Sa 6:19]; their error proceeded from ignorance or inadvertency. But Uzzah, who was a Levite, and well instructed, suffered death for his breach of the law. The severity of Uzzah's fate may seem to us too great for the nature and degree of the offense. But it does not become us to sit in judgment on the dispensations of God; and, besides, it is apparent that the divine purpose was to inspire awe of His majesty, a submission to His law, and a profound veneration for the symbols and ordinances of His worship.
9, 10. David was afraid of the Lord that day, &c.—His feelings on this alarming judgment were greatly excited on various accounts, dreading that the displeasure of God had been provoked by the removal of the ark, that the punishment would be extended to himself and people, and that they might fall into some error or neglect during the further conveyance of the ark. He resolved, therefore, to wait for more light and direction as to the path of duty. An earlier consultation by Urim would have led him right at the first, whereas in this perplexity and distress, he was reaping the fruits of inconsideration and neglect.
11. Obed-edom the Gittite—a Levite (1Ch 15:18, 21, 24; 16:5; 26:4). He is called a Gittite, either from his residence at Gath, or more probably from Gath-rimmon, one of the Levitical cities (Jos 21:24, 25).
2Sa 6:12-19. David Afterwards Brings the Ark to Zion.
12. 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—The lapse of three months not only restored the agitated mind of the monarch to a tranquil and settled tone, but led him to a discovery of his former error. Having learned that the ark was kept in its temporary resting-place not only without inconvenience or danger, but with great advantage, he resolved forthwith to remove it to the capital, with the observance of all due form and solemnity (1Ch 15:1-13). It was transported now on the shoulders of the priests, who had been carefully prepared for the work, and the procession was distinguished by extraordinary solemnities and demonstrations of joy.
13. when they that bare the ark … had gone six paces—Some think that four altars were hastily raised for the offering of sacrifices at the distance of every six paces (but see on 1Ch 15:26).
14. David danced before the Lord—The Hebrews, like other ancient people, had their sacred dances, which were performed on their solemn anniversaries and other great occasions of commemorating some special token of the divine goodness and favor.
with all his might—intimating violent efforts of leaping, and divested of his royal mantle (in a state of undress), conduct apparently unsuitable to the gravity of age or the dignity of a king. But it was unquestionably done as an act of religious homage, his attitudes and dress being symbolic, as they have always been in Oriental countries, of penitence, joy, thankfulness, and devotion. [See on 1Ch 15:27.]
17. 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—The old tabernacle remained at Gibeon (1Ch 16:39; 21:29; 2Ch 1:3). Probably it was not removed because it was too large for the temporary place the king had appropriated, and because he contemplated the building of a temple.
18. he blessed the people—in the double character of prophet and king (see 1Ki 8:55, 56). [See on 1Ch 16:2.]
19. cake of bread—unleavened and slender.
a good piece of flesh—roast beef.
2Sa 6:20-23. Michal's Barrenness.
20-22. Michal … came out to meet David, &c.—Proud of her royal extraction, she upbraided her husband for lowering the dignity of the crown and acting more like a buffoon than a king. But her taunting sarcasm was repelled in a manner that could not be agreeable to her feelings while it indicated the warm piety and gratitude of David.