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 cherubims.
Baale. The old Canaanite name of Kirjath-jearim . Compare 1 Samuel 6:21 ; 1Sa 7:2 . 1 Chronicles 13:6 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .
whose name is called by the name . Some codices, with Aramaean and Vulgate, read "whereupon is called the name", &c.
the LORD of hosts . Hebrew. Jehovah. Sebaioth. One of the Jehovah titles. App-4 . Compare 2 Samuel 5:10 , and see note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .
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.
a new cart. This was contrary to the Divinely prescribed law (Numbers 4:15 ; Numbers 7:9 ; Numbers 10:21 .Deuteronomy 10:8 . Joshua 3:14 . Jos 15:24 . 1 Chronicles 13:7 ; 1 Chronicles 15:2 , &c.) When the Philistines did it in ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7 ) no judgment fell on them, because the Law of Moses was not delivered to them. But David should have known: hence judgment came. The solemn lesson is that anything introduced into the worship of God contrary to His requirements is deserving of His judgments. This includes all that is contrary to John 4:24 , and all that is of the flesh, which "profiteth nothing" (John 6:63 ). All this is like David's "new cart" and is sin in God's sight. See note on 1 Samuel 6:7 , and compare 1 Samuel 15:22 .
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.
the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
instruments made of fir wood . The Septuagint reads "with all boldness and with songs". See 2 Samuel 6:14 and 1 Chronicles 13:8 . According to Hebrew text "fir woods", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Material) for instruments made from it. App-6 .
timbrels = drums. See note on Exodus 15:20 .
cymbals = timbrels, or tambourines. Hebrew. zilzilim. See note on 1 Chronicles 13:8 .
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.
Nachon's . Same as Chidon (1 Chronicles 13:9 ).
his hand . These words are contained in the Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.
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.
error = negligence.
8.
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.
made a breach = broke forth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
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 Obed-edom the Gittite.
11.
And 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.
12.
And 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.
pertaineth . Authorized Version (1611) reads "pertained".
brought up the ark . Compare 1 Chronicles 15:3 .
13.
And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
six paces . See App-51 . Compare 1 Chronicles 15:26 .
14.
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
danced . This explains the subscription of Psalms 87 , Mahalath Leannoth = dancing with shoutings. Compare 1 Chronicles 15:25-29 . See App-65 .
The Psalms 87 subscription reads: "A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief
Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth." See notes on Psalms 87:7 .
a linen ephod . Compare Aaron (Exodus 28:6 ) and Samuel (1 Samuel 2:18 ).
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.
leaping and dancing . See note on 2 Samuel 6:14 .
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.
tabernacle = 'ohel. tent. Not the Tabernacle of Moses, which was at Gibeon, compare 1 Chronicles 16:39 ( App-40 ), but the tent David had prepared on Zion (2 Samuel 7:1-3 ). Compare Psalms 132:3-5 .
offered- offered up. App-43 .
peace offerings, which were for thanksgiving.
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.
men . . . every one . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
good piece of flesh . Note, "of flesh" is in italics, following the Vulgate. Translate, "a measure [of' wine]".
flagon of wine . Omit "flagon of wine", and render "a cake of raisins".
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!
daughter of Saul . Note this. It does not say "the wife of David".
uncovered = disrobed, referring to his royal robes.
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.
It was . Omit these words and supply Ellipsis by adding, with Septuagint, "Before Jehovah [did I dance]".
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 honour.
23.
Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.