2 Samuel 6

In this chapter, David seeks to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark represents God’s presence and is highly revered by the Israelites. The chapter shows both the triumphs and challenges of transporting the Ark, and how important it is to honor God's holiness.

2 Samuel 6:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.
3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark.
5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.

David organizes a massive celebration to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He gathers 30,000 men, a significant number, showing the importance of this occasion. The Ark, symbolic of God's presence, is placed on a new cart and brought from Abinadab's house. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, drive the cart. David and the people celebrate with music and joy, showing their reverence and excitement in honoring God.

2 Samuel 6:6 (NKJV)
6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.

Uzzah's action may have seemed innocent, but touching the Ark was strictly forbidden by God's law. As the oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark. This reveals the human impulse to protect something precious, yet also highlights the importance of reverence and obedience to God’s instructions concerning holy things.

2 Samuel 6:7 (NKJV)
7 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.

Uzzah’s act, though well-intentioned, violated God’s command that only certain individuals could handle the Ark. God's holiness requires absolute reverence, and Uzzah’s death serves as a reminder of the seriousness of approaching God’s presence without the proper reverence and obedience.

2 Samuel 6:8 (NKJV)
8 And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.

David's anger likely stems from confusion and fear. He doesn’t fully understand why Uzzah had to die, even though it was in response to Uzzah’s disobedience. David names the place Perez Uzzah, meaning "outbreak against Uzzah," marking the event that had shaken the celebration.

2 Samuel 6:9-10 (NKJV)
9 David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”
10 So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

David, now filled with fear rather than joy, questions how to properly handle the Ark and bring it to Jerusalem. His fear of God’s holiness halts the procession, and he decides to leave the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom, a Levite from Gath, until he can figure out what to do next.

2 Samuel 6:11 (NKJV)
11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.

While the Ark stays in Obed-Edom’s house, God blesses him and his entire household. This highlights the blessings that come with God's presence when approached properly, contrasting with the tragedy of Uzzah’s death.

2 Samuel 6:12 (NKJV)
12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.

David hears of the blessings upon Obed-Edom and realizes that the Ark brings not only reverence but also great blessings. He decides to try again to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, this time with a renewed sense of gladness and carefulness in how he proceeds.

2 Samuel 6:13 (NKJV)
13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.

This time, David ensures that the Ark is carried in the correct manner, by Levites, and not on a cart. After just a few steps, David pauses to offer sacrifices to the Lord, acknowledging God’s holiness and seeking to honor Him with every step of the journey.

2 Samuel 6:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.
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.

David’s joy overflows as he dances with all his might, wearing a linen ephod, a simple priestly garment. The entire procession is filled with joy, music, and shouting, celebrating God’s presence returning to the heart of Israel.

2 Samuel 6:16 (NKJV)
16 Now 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 whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

Michal, David's wife, watches from a distance and disapproves of David’s exuberant display. Her reaction reflects disdain for what she perceives as undignified behavior for a king, setting the stage for conflict between her and David.

2 Samuel 6:17-19 (NKJV)
17 So they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
18 And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.
19 Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house.

David sets the Ark in its rightful place, within the tabernacle he has prepared. He offers sacrifices to honor God and then blesses the people. David’s generosity continues as he distributes food to the people, making the occasion a communal celebration of God’s presence among them.

2 Samuel 6:20-22 (NKJV)
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 today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord.
22 And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”

Michal confronts David, criticizing him for his public display of joy and claiming it was inappropriate for a king. David responds by explaining that his actions were for the Lord, not for people. He values his humility before God more than appearances, and he is unashamed of his exuberant worship.

2 Samuel 6:23 (NKJV)
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

Michal's criticism and lack of reverence for David's worship lead to her barrenness. This serves as a final note on the rift between David and Michal, contrasting David’s joy in the Lord with Michal’s disdain.