David's triumphant procession transforms into paralyzing fear when Uzzah's death reveals that even Israel's anointed king must submit to divine holiness protocols.
2 Samuel 6
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem and Uzzah's Death
1David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah, to bring up from there God’s ark, which is called by the Name, even the name of the LORD of Armies who sits above the cherubim.
3They set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4They brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark.
5David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals.
6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled.
7The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.
8David was displeased because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day.
9David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How could the LORD’s ark come to me?”
10So David would not move the LORD’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.
11The LORD’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.
David Dances Before the Ark
12King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of God’s ark.” So David went and brought up God’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy.
13When those who bore the LORD’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the LORD’s ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
16As the LORD’s ark came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out through the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17They brought in the LORD’s ark, and set it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Armies.
19He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house.
20Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
21David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before the LORD.
22I will be yet more undignified than this, and will be worthless in my own sight. But the maids of whom you have spoken will honor me.”
23Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
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Theme
David attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, but the mission is interrupted when Uzzah dies after touching the ark to steady it, demonstrating God's holiness and the importance of proper reverence. After three months during which the ark blesses Obed-Edom's household, David successfully transports it to Jerusalem with great celebration, dancing before the Lord with abandon. The chapter concludes with tension as Michal, Saul's daughter, despises David's exuberant worship, setting up conflict between royal dignity and wholehearted devotion to God.
Context
This chapter follows David's consolidation of power and precedes God's covenant promise in chapter 7, showing David's desire to center Israel's worship in Jerusalem.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Preparing to Transport the Ark David gathers thirty thousand men and begins moving the ark from Baale Judah with celebration and music.
- 6-11 Uzzah's Death and David's Fear Uzzah dies after touching the ark, causing David to fear God and leave the ark at Obed-Edom's house for three months.
- 12-15 Successful Transport to Jerusalem Learning of God's blessing on Obed-Edom, David joyfully brings the ark to Jerusalem with sacrifices and dancing.
- 16-19 Celebration and Worship The ark is placed in David's tent while Michal watches disapprovingly as David leads worship and blesses the people.
- 20-23 Conflict with Michal Michal confronts David about his undignified behavior, leading to a sharp exchange and her resulting barrenness.
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem and Uzzah's Death
6:1–6:11 narrative narration solemn
David attempts to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem, but Uzzah dies when he touches it, causing David to fear and temporarily house the ark with Obed-Edom. The incident demonstrates God's holiness and the proper reverence required in worship.
person_contrast
David's triumphant procession transforms into paralyzing fear when Uzzah's death reveals that even Israel's anointed king must submit to divine holiness protocols.
David Dances Before the Ark
6:12–6:23 narrative narration joyful
David successfully brings the ark to Jerusalem with great celebration, dancing before the LORD despite his wife Michal's disapproval. His wholehearted worship and generous distribution of food to the people demonstrates proper kingly devotion to God.
person_contrast
David's sacrificial offerings every six paces and ecstatic dancing transform him from military commander to liturgical priest, uniquely blending royal authority with cultic worship in Israel's narrative.
Insights
David's sacrificial offerings every six paces and ecstatic dancing transform him from military commander to liturgical priest, uniquely blending royal authority with cultic worship in Israel's narrative.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
2 Samuel 6:1 1 reference
2 Samuel 6:2 1 reference
2 Samuel 6:3 2 references
2 Samuel 6:4 2 references
2 Samuel 6:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 13:8 Lexical
David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, with harps, with stringed instruments, wit…
Isaiah 5:12 Lexical
The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don’t respect the work of the LORD, neit…
1 Samuel 10:5 Lexical
“After that you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is; and it will happen, when you hav…
1 Kings 10:12 Lexical
The king made of the almug trees pillars for the LORD’s house and for the king’s house, harps also and stringed instrume…
2 Chronicles 9:11 Lexical
The king used algum tree wood to make terraces for the LORD’s house and for the king’s house, and harps and stringed ins…
2 Samuel 6:6 1 reference
2 Samuel 6:7 1 reference
2 Samuel 6:8 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 13:11 Lexical
David was displeased, because the LORD had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.
1 Chronicles 14:11 Lexical
So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like w…
2 Samuel 5:20 Lexical
David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like t…
2 Samuel 6:10 2 references
2 Samuel 6:11 2 references
Lexicals 2
2 Samuel 6:12 2 references
Lexicals 2
2 Samuel 6:13 2 references
2 Samuel 6:14 1 reference
2 Samuel 6:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 15:28 Lexical
Thus all Israel brought the ark of the LORD’s covenant up with shouting, with sound of the cornet, with trumpets, and wi…
2 Chronicles 15:14 Lexical
They swore to the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting, with trumpets, and with cornets.
Joshua 6:5 Lexical
It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the pe…
Joshua 6:20 Lexical
So the people shouted and the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shou…
Jeremiah 4:19 Lexical
My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart! My heart trembles within me. I can’t hold my peace, because you ha…
2 Samuel 6:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 15:29 Lexical
As the ark of the LORD’s covenant came to David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw ki…
1 Samuel 19:12 Lexical
So Michal let David down through the window. He went away, fled, and escaped.
Proverbs 7:6 Lexical
For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice.
Genesis 26:8 Lexical
When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaa…
Judges 5:28 Lexical
“Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long i…
2 Samuel 6:17 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Chronicles 16:1 Lexical
They brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt of…
1 Chronicles 15:1 Lexical
David made himself houses in David’s city; and he prepared a place for God’s ark, and pitched a tent for it.
1 Kings 3:15 Lexical
Solomon awoke; and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the LORD’s covenant, an…
Exodus 20:24 Lexical
You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your s…
2 Samuel 6:18 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Chronicles 16:2 Lexical
When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the LORD’s name.
Ezekiel 43:27 Lexical
When they have accomplished the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests shall make your burnt o…
Leviticus 9:22 Lexical
Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the…
Exodus 20:24 Lexical
You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your s…
2 Samuel 6:19 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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v. 19
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v. 22
v. 23
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