2 Samuele 6

1 Davide radunò di nuovo tutti gli uomini scelti d’Israele, in numero di trentamila.

2 Poi si levò, e con tutto il popolo ch’era con lui, partì da Baalé di Giuda per trasportare di là l’arca di Dio, sulla quale è invocato il Nome, il nome dell’Eterno degli eserciti, che siede sovr’essa fra i cherubini.

3 E posero l’arca di Dio sopra un carro nuovo, e la levarono dalla casa di Abinadab ch’era sul colle; e Uzza e Ahio, figliuoli di Abinadab, conducevano il carro nuovo

4 con l’arca di Dio, e Ahio andava innanzi all’arca.

5 E Davide e tutta la casa d’Israele sonavano dinanzi all’Eterno ogni sorta di strumenti di legno di cipresso, e cetre, saltèri, timpani, sistri e cembali.

6 Or come furon giunti all’aia di Nacon, Uzza stese la mano verso l’arca di Dio e la tenne, perché i buoi la facevano piegare.

7 E l’ira dell’Eterno s’accese contro Uzza; Iddio lo colpì quivi per la sua temerità, ed ei morì in quel luogo presso l’arca di Dio.

8 Davide si attristò perché l’Eterno avea fatto una breccia nel popolo, colpendo Uzza; e quel luogo è stato chiamato Perets-Uzza fino al dì d’oggi.

9 E Davide, in quel giorno, ebbe paura dell’Eterno, e disse: "Come verrebbe ella da me l’arca dell’Eterno?"

10 E Davide non volle ritirare l’arca dell’Eterno presso di sé nella città di Davide, ma la fece portare in casa di Obed-Edom di Gath.

11 E l’arca dell’Eterno rimase tre mesi in casa di Obed-Edom di Gath, e l’Eterno benedisse Obed-Edom e tutta la sua casa.

12 Allora fu detto al re Davide: "L’Eterno ha benedetto la casa di Obed-Edom e tutto quel che gli appartiene, a motivo dell’arca di Dio". Allora Davide andò e trasportò l’arca di Dio dalla casa di Obed-Edom su nella città di Davide, con gaudio.

13 Quando quelli che portavan l’arca dell’Eterno avean fatto sei passi, s’immolava un bue ed un vitello grasso.

14 E Davide danzava a tutta forza davanti all’Eterno, e s’era cinto di un efod di lino.

15 Così Davide e tutta la casa d’Israele trasportarono su l’arca dell’Eterno con giubilo e a suon di tromba.

16 Or avvenne che come l’arca dell’Eterno entrava nella città di Davide, Mical, figliuola di Saul, guardò dalla finestra; e vedendo il re Davide che saltava e danzava dinanzi all’Eterno, lo disprezzò in cuor suo.

17 Portaron dunque l’arca dell’Eterno, e la collocarono al suo posto, in mezzo alla tenda che Davide avea rizzato per lei; e Davide offrì olocausti e sacrifizi di azioni di grazie dinanzi all’Eterno.

18 Quand’ebbe finito d’offrire gli olocausti e i sacrifizi di azioni di grazie, Davide benedisse il popolo nel nome dell’Eterno degli eserciti,

19 e distribuì a tutto il popolo, a tutta la moltitudine d’Israele, uomini e donne, un pane per uno, una porzione di carne e una schiacciata di fichi secchi. Poi tutto il popolo se ne andò, ciascuno a casa sua.

20 E come Davide, se ne tornava per benedire la sua famiglia, Mical, figliuola di Saul, gli uscì incontro e gli disse: "Bell’onore s’è fatto oggi il re d’Israele a scoprirsi davanti agli occhi delle serve de’ suoi servi, come si scoprirebbe un uomo da nulla!"

21 Davide rispose a Mical: "L’ho fatto dinanzi all’Eterno che m’ha scelto invece di tuo padre e di tutta la sua casa per stabilirmi principe d’Israele, del popolo dell’Eterno; sì, dinanzi all’Eterno ho fatto festa.

22 Anzi mi abbasserò anche più di così, e mi renderò abbietto agli occhi miei; eppure, da quelle serve di cui tu parli, proprio da loro, io sarò onorato!"

23 E Mical, figlia di Saul, non ebbe figliuoli fino al giorno della sua morte.

2 Samuele 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.