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2 Samuel 6

World English Bible

WEB

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 Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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. 7Yahweh’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 Yahweh had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How could Yahweh’s ark come to me?” 10So David would not move Yahweh’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. 11Yahweh’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom and all his house. 12King David was told, “Yahweh 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 Yahweh’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 14David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up Yahweh’s ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 16As Yahweh’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 Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart. 17They brought in Yahweh’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 Yahweh. 18When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh 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 Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before Yahweh. 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.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Samuel Chapter 6 recounts a significant moment in Israel's history: the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. King #David, filled with joy and reverence, leads a grand procession to bring the Ark back, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The chapter begins with David gathering 30,000 chosen men to accompany him, demonstrating the importance of this event. As they transport the Ark on a new cart, they celebrate with music and dancing, highlighting the communal joy and worship surrounding the Ark's return. However, tragedy strikes when Uzzah, reaching out to steady the Ark, is struck dead by God for his irreverence. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him without proper reverence, as outlined in #Numbers 4:15 and #1 Chronicles 15:2, which emphasize the need for the Levites to carry the Ark properly. David's initial fear leads him to temporarily place the Ark in the house of #Obed-Edom, where it remains for three months, during which time God blesses Obed-Edom and his household, further demonstrating the Ark's significance as a conduit of God's blessing.

The chapter concludes with David's determination to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, this time with the proper protocols in place. He dances before the Lord with all his might, showcasing his deep devotion and joy in the Lord's presence. However, his wife #Michal looks on with disdain, criticizing him for his uninhibited worship. David responds by affirming that his worship is for the Lord, not for public approval, emphasizing the importance of sincere worship over societal expectations. This chapter beautifully illustrates the themes of worship, reverence, and the centrality of God's presence in the life of His people, reminding us that true worship often defies cultural norms and expectations.

Overall, 2 Samuel 6 serves as a powerful reminder of the joy and reverence that should accompany our worship of God, as well as the importance of approaching Him with the right heart and attitude. #ArkOfTheCovenant #David #ObedEdom #Michal

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Referenced by

  1. Numbers 4:15v6Numbers 4:15 warns against touching the holy things, which is illustrated in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 when Uzzah touches the Ark and is struck down.
  2. 1 Samuel 6:13v121 Samuel 6:13 describes the joy of the people of Beth-shemesh upon seeing the Ark, similar to the joy of David and Israel when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6.
  3. 1 Chronicles 13:3v31 Chronicles 13:3 discusses bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel, which parallels the account in 2 Samuel 6:3 where David attempts to transport the Ark to Jerusalem.
  4. 1 Chronicles 13:10v71 Chronicles 13:10 recounts God's anger against Uzzah for touching the Ark, which is also detailed in 2 Samuel 6:7, highlighting the seriousness of God's holiness and the consequences of disobedience.
  5. 1 Chronicles 13:14v111 Chronicles 13:14 notes the blessing on the house of Obed-edom where the Ark stayed, which is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 6:11, illustrating the blessings associated with God's presence.
  6. 1 Chronicles 15:25v121 Chronicles 15:25 recounts David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with great joy, paralleling the account in 2 Samuel 6:12-15, highlighting the celebration and reverence for God's presence.
  7. 1 Chronicles 15:29v161 Chronicles 15:29 describes Michal's disdain for David's dancing before the Lord, which is also detailed in 2 Samuel 6:16, illustrating a contrast between genuine worship and misunderstanding or contempt.
  8. Psalms 150:3-5v5Psalm 150:3-5 describes praising God with various musical instruments, similar to the celebration with instruments when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6:5.

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