---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  2 Samuel 6"
description: "CHAPTER 6   :-. DAVID FETCHES
THE ARK FROM
KIRJATH-JEARIM ON A NEW
CART. 1. Again, David gathered together
all the chosen men of Israel—(See  :-). The obj"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/2-samuel/6"
---

CHAPTER 6

. DAVID FETCHES
THE ARK FROM
KIRJATH-JEARIM ON A NEW
CART.

**1. Again, David gathered together
all the chosen men of Israel**—(See ). 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 ).

**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 ([1 Chronicles 13:6](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/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 ). This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violation
of an express statute (see on 
and see [Numbers 7:9](../../../kjv/numbers/7/9); [Numbers 18:3](../../../kjv/numbers/18/3)).
[Numbers 18:3](../../../kjv/numbers/18/3). UZZAH SMITTEN.

**6-8. they came to Nachon's
threshing-floor**—or Chidon's (). The Chaldee version renders the words, "came to the
place prepared for the reception of the ark," that is, near the
city of David ([2 Samuel 6:13](../../../kjv/2-samuel/6/13)).
**the oxen shook it**—or,
"stumbled" ([1 Chronicles 13:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/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 [[1 Chronicles 13:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/13/9)]; the Bethshemites also suffered, but not fatally [[1 Chronicles 13:9](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/13/9)]; 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 ([1 Chronicles 15:18](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/15/18); [1 Chronicles 15:21](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/15/21);
[1 Chronicles 15:24](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/15/24); [1 Chronicles 16:5](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/16/5);
[1 Chronicles 26:4](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/26/4)). He is called a
Gittite, either from his residence at Gath, or more probably from
Gath-rimmon, one of the Levitical cities ([Joshua 21:24](../../../kjv/joshua/21/24);
[Joshua 21:25](../../../kjv/joshua/21/25)).
[Joshua 21:25](../../../kjv/joshua/21/25). 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 (). 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 ).

**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 .]

**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
([1 Chronicles 16:39](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/16/39); [1 Chronicles 21:29](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/21/29);
[2 Chronicles 1:3](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/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 [1 Kings 8:55](../../../kjv/1-kings/8/55);
[1 Kings 8:56](../../../kjv/1-kings/8/56)). [See on [1 Kings 8:56](../../../kjv/1-kings/8/56).]

**19. cake of bread**—unleavened
and slender.
**a good piece of flesh**—roast
beef.
. 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.

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