2 Samuel 6

1 David assembla encore tous les hommes d'élite d'Israël, au nombre de trente mille.

2 Puis David se leva, ainsi que tout le peuple qui était avec lui, et partit de Baalé de Juda, pour transporter de là l'arche de Dieu, devant laquelle est invoqué le nom de l'Éternel des armées qui habite entre les chérubins.

3 Et ils mirent l'arche de Dieu sur un chariot neuf, et ils l'emmenèrent de la maison d'Abinadab, qui était sur la colline; et Uzza et Achjo, fils d'Abinadab, conduisaient le chariot neuf.

4 Ils l'emmenèrent donc de la maison d'Abinadab, sur la colline, avec l'arche de Dieu, et Achjo allait devant l'arche.

5 Et David et toute la maison d'Israël jouaient devant l'Éternel de toute sorte d'instruments de bois de cyprès, de harpes, de lyres, de tambours, de sistres et de cymbales.

6 Or quand ils furent venus jusqu'à l'aire de Nacon, Uzza porta la main sur l'arche de Dieu et la saisit, parce que les bœufs regimbaient.

7 Et la colère de l'Éternel s'embrasa contre Uzza, et Dieu le frappa à cause de sa témérité, et il mourut là, près de l'arche de Dieu.

8 Et David fut affligé de ce que l'Éternel avait fait une brèche en la personne d'Uzza, et jusqu'à ce jour on a appelé ce lieu-là Pérets-Uzza (brèche d'Uzza).

9 David eut donc peur de l'Éternel en ce jour-là, et il dit: Comment l'arche de l'Éternel entrerait-elle chez moi?

10 Et David ne voulut point retirer l'arche de l'Éternel chez lui, dans la cité de David; mais il la fit conduire dans la maison d'Obed-Édom, de Gath.

11 Et l'arche de l'Éternel demeura dans la maison d'Obed-Édom, le Guitthien, trois mois; et l'Éternel bénit Obed-Édom et toute sa maison.

12 Puis on vint dire à David: L'Éternel a béni la maison d'Obed-Édom et tout ce qui est à lui, à cause de l'arche de Dieu. Alors David s'y rendit, et fit monter l'arche de Dieu, de la maison d'Obed-Édom en la cité de David, avec joie.

13 Et quand ceux qui portaient l'arche de Dieu eurent fait six pas, on sacrifia des taureaux et des béliers gras.

14 Et David sautait de toute sa force devant l'Éternel; et il était ceint d'un éphod de lin.

15 David et toute la maison d'Israël firent ainsi monter l'arche de l'Éternel, avec des cris de joie et au son des trompettes.

16 Mais comme l'arche de l'Éternel entrait dans la cité de David, Mical, fille de Saül, regardant par la fenêtre, vit le roi David qui sautait et dansait devant l'Éternel, et elle le méprisa en son cœur.

17 Ils amenèrent donc l'arche de l'Éternel et la posèrent en son lieu, dans la tente que David lui avait dressée; et David offrit des holocaustes et des sacrifices de prospérités devant l'Éternel.

18 Quand David eut achevé d'offrir les holocaustes et les sacrifices de prospérités, il bénit le peuple au nom de l'Éternel des armées;

19 Et il distribua à tout le peuple, à toute la multitude d'Israël, tant aux hommes qu'aux femmes, à chacun un pain, une portion de viande et un gâteau de raisin. Puis tout le peuple s'en retourna chacun en sa maison.

20 David s'en retourna aussi pour bénir sa maison; mais Mical, fille de Saül, vint au-devant de lui, et dit: Quel honneur s'est fait aujourd'hui le roi d'Israël, en se découvrant aux yeux des servantes de ses serviteurs, comme se découvrirait un homme de rien!

21 Mais David dit à Mical: C'est devant l'Éternel, qui m'a choisi plutôt que ton père et que toute sa maison, pour m'établir conducteur de son peuple d'Israël, c'est devant l'Éternel que je me suis réjoui.

22 Et je m'abaisserai encore plus que cela, et je serai humilié à mes yeux; mais je serai en honneur auprès des servantes dont tu parles.

23 Or Mical, fille de Saül, n'eut point d'enfants jusqu'au jour de sa mort.

2 Samuel 6 Commentary

Chapter 6

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)

Verses 1-5 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, ( Matthew 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.

Verses 6-11 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.

Verses 12-19 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 ( 1 Peter. 2:6-8 ) 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.

Verses 20-23 David returned to bless his household, to pray with them, and for them, and to offer up family thanksgiving for this national mercy. It is angels' work to worship God, surely that cannot lower the greatest of men. But even the palaces of princes are not free from family troubles. Exercises of religion appear mean in the eyes of those who have little or no religion themselves. If we can approve ourselves to God in what we do in religion, and do it as before the Lord, we need not heed reproach. Piety will have its praise: let us not be indifferent in it, nor afraid or ashamed to own it. David was contented to justify himself, and he did not further reprove or blame Michal's insolence; but God punished her. Those that honour God, he will honour; but those that despise him, and his servants and service, shall be lightly esteemed.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 6

In this chapter we are told that David fetched the ark from Baale of Judah, with an intent to bring it to his own city, 2Sa 6:1-5; but Uzzah being smitten for his error concerning it, David was displeased, and left it at the house of Obededom, where it remained three months, and proved a blessing to his house, 2Sa 6:6-11; which David hearing of, went and brought it from thence with great expressions of joy before it as it came along, and offered offerings to the Lord at the setting it in its place, and gave gifts to the people, 2Sa 6:12-19; but Michal his wife was displeased with some of his gestures on that occasion, which made some difference between them, and which, on Michal's part, was resented by the Lord himself; for she became barren for it to the time of her death, 2Sa 6:20-23.