2 Samuel 6:1-9

1 David again assembled all the best soldiers in Israel, 30,000 men.

2 He and all the people with him left Baalah in Judah to bring God's ark [to Jerusalem]. (The ark is called by the name of the LORD of Armies, who is enthroned over the angels. )

3 David and his men put God's ark on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's home on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were guiding the new cart.

4 They brought it from Abinadab's home, with Ahio walking ahead of the ark.

5 David and the entire nation of Israel were celebrating in the LORD's presence with all kinds of instruments made from cypress wood and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

6 But when they came to Nacon's threshing floor, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out for the ark of God and grabbed it.

7 The LORD became angry with Uzzah, so God killed him there for his lack of respect. He died beside the ark of God.

8 David was angry because the LORD had struck Uzzah so violently. (That place is still called Perez Uzzah [The Striking of Uzzah] today.)

9 David was afraid of the LORD that day. "How can the ark of the LORD come to my [city]?" he asked.

2 Samuel 6:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

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.