2 Samuel 6

perhaps with a view of strengthening his connexion with the most powerful families of his tribe; for it does not appear that polygamy much promotes population; for even with us, many a poor working man has often more c ildren than either David or Solomon.: } His prosperity, however, only excited the envy of his old enemies the Philistines, who, within a short time made two unsuccessful attacks upon him, in both which the God of Israel manifestly appeared on his behalf; in the former, probably by means of a flood; and in the latter, more evidently by a storm, the circumstances of which are peculiar. David is directed, to fetch a compass behind the enemy, opposite to a certain grove of mulberry trees; but he was to wait and listen till he should hear ‘‘the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees:”

that is, a rising storm of wind and thunder, which would effectually terrify the enemy on the one side, while it was the signal for David’s attack on the other. Thus the Lord first smote the host of the Philistines with a tremendous storm, that drove them full against the army of Israel, which, unknown to them, was planted in their rear; then David attacked them on the other side, and smote them “from Geba unto Gazer,” two principal cities, of the, Philistines. Now the reason of this success is laid in David’s implicit obedience to the divine precepts— David did so as the Lord commanded him;” and it is principally on this account, wat he is called a man after his own heart. (See on 1 Sam. his capital, next concerts measures for bringing up the ark thereto.

The ark was brought, as it had been some years before, by the Philistines, upon “a new cart,” and accompanied with instruments of music; but, as in the former case, many of the Bethshemites were slain for their presumptuous curt osity, ((1 Samuel 6:19).) so in this case Uzzah, the son of Aminadab, was struck dead for his rashness in touching the ark with his hand, contrary to an express law, (Num, iv. 15.) as if he considered the God of Israel unable to protect his own ark. There is in this, as in many other circumstances under the Old Testament, an exactness required for which we see no reason, and a rigour of punishment which we cannot justify. But the case between parents and children is very similar; the latter cannot always understand the reason of the precept, nor t necessity of the punishment; but if they are satisfied that t parent is both wise and kind-hearted, they will feel it their aut; to submit in silence.

A man of the world once said to a clergyman of the 17th century, “Sir, I should like your company, but you are so precise.’ The other instantly replied, * Sir, I serve a precise God.” There is in the divine law a precision which cannot be satisfied with any thing short of the command: and, under the Old Testament, that precision extended to all the minutiz of the ritual law. This “breach upon Uzzah displeased David.” That there is much reason for the Lord to be displeased with us cannot be denied; but that man should be displeased and angry te his Maker, is surely out of character: yet, which of us ¢an the parallel passage ((1 Chronicles 22:8).) it is stated to be because he had made “ many wars”

and shed “ much blood;” which, however necessary it might be in his circumstances was inconsistent with the character of a temple to be erected to the God of peace. His son and successor however, as yet unborn, shall have a reign eminently peaceable and prosperous, and he shall build it. In the mean time God accepts the will for the deed on the part of David, and promises to build him a house, that is, a family, that shall never be destroyed: for, although for a time, through the a of Israel and of their king, the succession may meet with temporary interruption, it shall be restored in a far more glorious form in the person of the Messiah, and after covering the earth with blessings, be “ transported to the skies.”

The remaining part of this chapter, from ver. 18. is at once so simple and explicit, so sublime and beautiful, so pious an devotional, that to attempt to improve it by our reflections, would be like mixing water with the pure wine: let the reader therefore conclude this section by re-perusing those verses.

Notes on the verses

Chap. VI. Ver. 2. Whose name is called.—See Margin; or, as Dr. Clarke renders it, “There the name of the Lord of hosts was called upon.” Shem signifies ‘‘ there,”’ as wellas “name.” _ i Ver. 5. Instruments of jir-wood.—Fir-wood, (or deal,) is chiefly used in the formation of musical instruments to the present day. (This place should doubtless be corrected from the parallel place, (1 Chronicles 13:8). where instead of bechol atzey beroshim, which is literally, “ with all trees or wood of Ar,” we read, bechol oz oovesheerim, “with all their might and with songs,” This makes a good sense, while the former makes none: the LXX. has the samo readi ere. J—Bagsster. ina 383 sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14 And David danced ° before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded P with a linen ephod. 15 So 4David and all the house of Israel the tabernacle that David had ¢ pitched for it: say, he is never displeased with the conduct of God’s providence, or the methods of his grace? This was, however, awfully presumptuous: and well might it be added, “David was afraid. of the Lord that day.”, The ark remained three months with Obed-edom, and he was blessed while it remained with him, as Abinadab had been before. The ark, as the symbol of the’divine presence, demanded attention and respect, and was to be treated with no unholy familiarity; and while David thus treated it, he found no misfortune to attend him.

At this he seems po? elated, and, accompanied with shouting and the sound of trumpet “danced before the ark with all his might.” We know that in the East—both in their lamentations and rejoicings—they are far more violent than we are, and use gesticulations that to us would appear ridiculous. So it appears ss did even to Michal, Saul’s ab top ay saw the procession pass her window, and was much offended. When, therefore, after he had offered sacrifices, and blessed, and refreshed the people, the xing returned to bless his own house, (as every man should do;) she met him, not with friendly gratulations, but with irony and reproach. ‘How glorious was the king of Israel to-day!” said she, when he unrobed himself of his proper vestments, and behaved as if he were a common man!”

Such seems to have been the meaning of her sarcasms, in which she appears to have forgotien that her own father lay all day and night in that state among the prophets. (1 Sam. Ver. 6. Put forth his hand.—{Even the Kohathites, who were appointed to carry the ark, after it was covered by the priests, were forbidden to couch it on ness of death; but Uzzah, who certainly was no ps probably with some egree of irreverence, having presumed to lay his hand upon the ark, which perhaps was not covered, thus incurred the penalty due to his rashness and precipitancy. ]—Bagster. ah Ver. 19. A cake of bread.—Rather, a loaf of bread, a joint of meat, anda gourd-skin of fermented liquor. 4 Ver. 20. Uncovered himself.—Rather, “ disrobed.”

[We are only to understand by this expression, that David had divested himself of his royal robes, in order to appear humble before the Lord, by assimilating himself to the condition of one of the priests or Levites: for we find that he was “ girded with a linen ephod;”” Sn no part of his body was exposed, haying 1 Nathan first approving the parroes of David to build God a house, 4 after by the word of God forbiddeth him. “12 He promiseth him benefits and blessings in his seed 18 David’s prayer and thanksgiving. bor, of the maids of A ND it came to pass, when * the king sat in my serhis house, and the Lord had » given him rest round about from all his enemies; for me to dwell in ? xix. 24.) David, however, answers her according to her folly; and reminds her that, much as she might despise him, the Lord had preferred him to all her father’s house; and so far was he from considering his rank as debased by these expressions of joy and gratitude, he would humble himself still more to do honour to the Lord.

It is a maxim of both Testaments, he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ((Isaiah 6:15). (Luke 14:11).) As to David’s dancing before the ark, it can never be brought forward with any pretence in favour of modern dancing in a ball-room. It was the simple expression of a imself or others. And though his motions were doubtless, in joyous and a pious heart. It was not intended to amuse either some measure, regulated by the music, it should seem he danced alone, and no longer than he accompanied the ark. His was a religious joy.