6:3The Ark of God was Israel's national treasure and was ordinarily kept in the Tabernacle. When the Ark was returned to Israel after a brief Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 4:1~7:2), it was kept in Abinadab's home for 20 years. David saw how God blessed Abinadab, and he wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem to ensure God’s blessing on the entire nation. (See the notes on Exodus 37:1 and Joshua 3:2-4 for more information on the Ark.)
Life Application Study Bible2 SamuelChapter 6
2 Samuel 6
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 471, 472
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62 Samuel 6
Moving the Ark to Jerusalem
1Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2He led them to Baalah of Judah* to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies,* who is enthroned between the cherubim. 3They placed the Ark of God ona new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart as it left the house, carrying the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 5David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs* and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. §:23 Or aspen, or balsam; also in 5:24. The exact identification of this tree is uncertain. 5:25 As in Greek version (see also 1 Chr 14:16); Hebrew reads Geba. Chr 14:16); Hebrew reads Geba. 6:2a Baalah of Judah is another name for Kiriath-jearim; compare 1 Chr 13:6. 6:2b Or the Ark of God where the Name is proclained—the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 6:5 As in Greek version (see also 7Chr 13:8); Hebrew reads before the LORD with all manner of cypress trees. 6But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this.* So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. 8David was angry because the LORD’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah’), as it is still called today. 8David was now afraid of the LORD, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the LORD back into my care?” 10So David decided not to move the Ark of the LORD into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 11The Ark of the LORD remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. 12Then King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 13After the men who were carrying the Ark of the LORD had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 4And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.* 15So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
Michal’s Contempt for David
1616But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lor, she was filled with contempt for him. 17They brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 18When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 18Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates,* and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes. 20When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” 21David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, sol celebrate before the LORD. 22Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 23So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
Textual footnotes
- 6:7 As in Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text reads because of his irreverence.
- 6:19 Or a portion of meat. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
Life Application Notes 6 notes
6:6,7Uzzah was only trying to protect the Ark, so was God’s anger against Uzzah just? According to Numbers 4:5-15, the Ark was to be moved only by the Levites, who were to carry it using the carrying poles—they were never to touch the Ark itself. To touch it was a capital offense under Hebrew law (Numbers 4:15}. God’s action was directed against both David and Uzzah. David placed the Ark on a cart, following the Philistines’ example (1 Samuel 6:7, 8) rather than God's commands. Uzzah, though sincere in his desire to protect the Ark, had to face the consequences of the sin of touching it. Also, Uzzah may not have been a Levite. As David sought to bring Israel back into a relationship with God, God had to remind the nation dramatically that enthusiasm must be accompanied by obedience to his laws. The next time David tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, he was careful to handle it correctly (1 Chronicles 15:1-15).
6:8-12David was angry that a well-meaning man had been killed and that his plans for a joyous return of the Ark had been spoiled (6:8). He undoubtedly knew that the fault was his own for transporting the Ark carelessly. After cooling down, he had the Ark put into temporary storage while he waited to see if the LORD would allow him to bring it to Jerusalem. This also gave David time to consider the right way to transport the Ark. The fact that God blessed the home of Obed-edom was a sign to David that he could try once again to move the Ark to Jerusalem.
6:14David wore a priestly garment, possibly because it was a religious celebration.
6:16ffMicha! was David's first wife, but here she is called daughter of Saul, possibly to show how similar her attitude was to her father’s. Her contempt for David probably did not start with David's grand entrance into the city. Perhaps she thought it was undignified to be so concerned with public worship at a time when it was so unimportant in the kingdom. Or maybe she thought it was not fitting for a king to display such emotion. She may have resented David's taking her from Paiti (see the note on 3:13, 14). Whatever the reason, this contempt she felt toward her husband escalated into a difficult confrontation, and Michal ended up childless for life. Feelings of bitterness and resentment that go unchecked will destroy a relationship. Deal with your fee!- ings before they escalate into open warfare.
6:17Only a priest could place the sacrifices on the altar. Leviti- Cus 1:2-13 indicates that anyone who was ceremonially clean could assist a priest in offering the sacrifice (see the notes on Joshua 3:5; 1 Samuel 20:26). So David probably offered these sacrifices to God with the aid of a priest. Solomon did the same (1 Kings 8:62-65). opportunity to listen and obey. In earlier years, judges and priests had the role of prophets. Samuel served as judge, priest, and prophet, bridging the gap between the period of the judges and the monarchy.
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6:14 Hebrew a linen ephod.