2 Samuel 6

David fetcheth the Ark of the Covenant with much people and great joy out of the house of Abinadab, ver.1,&c. viz a presumptuously laying hold of the Ark, is slain of God, 6. At which David being grieved, causeth the Ark to be set in the house of Ooed Edom, 8. Afterward fetcheth it most solemnly from thence, danceth before it, and is despised for it by Michal, 12. He causeth the Ark to be put in its place, offereth unto God, blesseth the people, and giveth them Presents, 17. Is mocked by Michal, and pleadeth with a holy zeal against her in his own defence, 20. Michals barrenness, 23.

1. After that David gathered again together [It seemeth that he had made the like gathering before, when he was to go forth to battle against the Philistines, above chap.5.7,&c. Some conceive that this hath relation to the former gathering; whereof above chap.5.1,3.] all the chosen (men) in Israel, thirty thousand. [Compare this History with 1 Chron.13. where the same is repeated.]

2. And David gat him up, [viz. When he was come from Jerusalem to Baalim Juda, i.e. Kiriath-Jearim] and went his way with all the people that were with him, from Baalim Juda, [see 1 Chron.13.6. & 1 Sam.7.1. & Jos.15.10, 60.] to bring up from thence the Ark of God, [i.e. which was ordained of God for his peoples comfort] by which the Name is called upon, the Name of the Lord of hosts [compare Levit.24.on ver.11. and Deut.28.on ver.58. Oth. whose (viz.) Gods Name is called, the Name, &c. See further 1 King.18.on ver.15. & 2 King.8.29.] that dwelleth thereupon [viz. upon the Ark] between the Cherubins: [see Gen 3.on ver.24.]

3. And they carried the Ark of God on a new Cart, [Having forgotten, or not thinking on the command of the LORD, who had commanded the Priests to bear the Ark, Numb.4.14. & 7.9. It seemeth that they herein followed the Philistines example: see 1 Sam.6, 7, 8, &c.] and fetched it [Heb. lifted it, took it up] out of the house of Abinadab, which is upon an hill, [upon an high place which was by or in Kiriath-Jearim. Heb. Gibea, so 1 Sam.7.1.] And Uza, and Ahio, [Heb. Achio,] Abinadabs sons, led the new Cart.

4. Now when they carried it away out of the house of Abinadab, which is upon the hill, with the Ark of God, then Ahio went along before the Ark; [viz. To lead the Oxen that drew the Cart: see ver.6. Some take the former words thus: Now when they carried it (viz. the Ark) away out of the house of Abinadab, which was upon the hill with the Ark of God. Some understand the word him, of Uza, that they took him to go next to the Ark.]

5. And David, and all the house of Israel played before the face of LORD, on all manner of (stringed instruments) of fir-wood; as on Harps, and on Lutes, and on Tabreis, also on Spels, [otherwise Trumpets, Cornets] and on Cymbals.

6. Now when they came to Nachons threshing-floor, [Heb. Goren Nachon, 1 Chron.13. 9. called Chidons threshing-floor] then Uza stretched forth (his hand) these words are mentioned, 1 Chronicles 13:9.] to the Ark of God, and held it (fast), for the Oxen [that drew the Cart with the Ark that was in it] stumbled. [or, trod side-ways, but glided. Oth. shacked (the Ark) that it seemed to be in danger of falling down.]

7. Then the anger of the LORD kindled against Uza, and God smote him there, for this inconsiderateness: [Or, This fault, errour, imprudence, transgression, presumption: for God had expressly commanded, that no man but the Priests should touch the Vessels, on pain of death, Numb.4. 15.] and he died there by that Ark of God.

8. And David kindled, because the Lord had rent a rent on Uza: [Heb. unto David it kindled, viz. his mind, or anger with grief, for the sin and punishment of Uza, whereby his publick joy was as it were rent and interrupted: see further, 1 Chron.15 2,3.] and he called that place Perez-Uza, [i.e. the rent, or, breach, gap of Uza] unto this day. [viz. that name continueth.]

9. And David was afraid of the LORD that day: [Being terrified, and standing in awe of Gods Majesty, Holiness, righteous severity, and jealousie, he durst not proceed any further, being solicitous and troubled, how he might accomplish and sinish this work. So as the same might be well-pleasing unto God] and he said; How shall the Ark of the LORD come unto me? [As it he had said, it seemeth as yet not to be the LORDS will, (in regard of this sad rent) that I should fetch it unto me: or, there must needs be yet something lacking, which I am ignorant of, and whereof I must be said to expect Gods revelation]

10. David then would not (suffer) the Ark of the LORD to be brought unto him in the city of David: but David caused it to turn aside into the house of Obed-Edom, [Who was a Levite, one of the Potters and Singers, see 1 Chron.15.18, 21.] the Gethite. [From Geth, or, Gath, a Royal Metropolis, or chief City of the Philistines, distinguished (according to some Maps) from Gath-Rimmon, lying near it, and allotted to the Levites, Jos.21.24, 25. Some are of opinion, that Obed-Edom fled thither with David in Sauls time, 1 Sam 21.

11. And the Ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-Edom, the Gethite, three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom, and all his house.

12. Then they told King David, saying; The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he hath for the Ark of Gods sake: So David went his way, and brought up the Ark of God out of the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David, with gladness. [Gathering and considing both from this, and other blessing of the LORD, set down in order, 1 Chron.14. that the LORD was appeased with him and his people. The manner of this fetching in the Ark is described more at large, 1 Chron.15.]

13. And it came to pass, when they that bare the Ark of the LORD, [Meaning the Priests and Levites, see 1 Chron.15.2, 12, 13, 14.] had gone on six paces, [see 1 Chron 15.26. oth. had gone six goings] that he [viz. David, by the Priests] offered Oxen and fatted (cattle). [to praise God both in general, and also in particular, for his grace and mercy, that there was no rent made as formerly, and that the bearers of the Ark were strengthened of God, and preserved from all disaster or sad accident that might have befallen them. This Offering possibly was performed upon some Altar cast up in haste, according to the command, Exod.20.24. compared with 1 Chron 15.26.]

14. And David skipped [The Hebrew word cometh from or, signifying a Lamb, which in going onward skippeth, and leapeth. Understand this not carnally, or, according to the manner of the children of this world: but out of meer holy, spiritual joy, or gladness, which the Holy Ghost kindled in his heart, at the settling of the pure worship of God, and the divine (or godly) types and tokens of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who should proceed from his seed, according to the flesh] before the face of the LORD [who was present above the Ark, and manifested himself there: see 1 Sam.4.4.] with all (his) might: And David was girt about with a linen upper-garment. [Heb. Ephod.i.e. he had a light linen upper garment on; see 1 Sam.2.18. And this to evidence his humility and abasement before the LORD See ver.21, 22.]

15. Thus David, and all the house of Israel [See 1 Chron.15.3, 25. and above verse 1.] brought up the Ark of the LORD; with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpets. [see 1 Chron.15.24.]

16. And it came to pass, when the Ark of the LORD came into the city of David, that Michal, Sauls daughter, [See above ch.2.13, &c.] looked out at the window; Now when she saw King David leaping [or, strengthening himself (as we say) composing himself for it with his utmost might]and skipping [i.e. skipping with all (his) mighty, as verse .14]before the face of the Lord, [as above verse .14 and below verse .17,21.]she despised him in her heart.[judging unholy and carnally of David holy spiritually work]

17. Now when they brought in the Ark of the Lord, they it in its place, in the midst of the Tent, which David had pitched or it :[viz. Before he forth to fetch the Ark .See 1 Chronicles .15.1. This he did by inspiration and instinct of the of Holy Ghost, to serve till such time that another house of the LORD should be built ,which he to have it done , but the God`s command and appointment was formed by Salomon.The other Tent set up by Moseh, was at Silo, 1 Sam.1.3, &c. and 14 3. at Nob. 1 Sam.21.1, &c. and at Gibeon, 1 Chronicles 16:39, 40. and David offered burnt-offerings, and thank-offerings before the face of the LORD.

18. When David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, and the thank-offerings, then be blessed the people [As a Prophet and godly King he wished unto the people from God all corporal and spiritual welfare, or happiness] in the name of the LORD of hosts. [See above v.2.]

19. And he dealt out to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, from the man women, to every one a cake pf bread, and a fair peece (of flesh), [The Hebrews understand this of such a portion, or part of the beast, as friends use to entertain one another withal at great Feasts, or Banquets. Some conceive that the Hebrew word Eschpaz, is a compound, signifying fire and leck; but that is waste-beef] and a bottle (of wine): Then all the people went away, every one to his house.

20. Now when David returned to bless [See on ver.18.] his house, Michal, Sauls daughter, went forth to meet David, and said; How was the King of Israel glorified to day, who uncovered himself to day before the eyes of the hand-maids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows, [i.e. Of the basest and vainest people, see Judg.9.4.] shamelessly uncovereth himself? [Heb. uncovering uncovereth himself, or, being uncovered is uncovered. She speaketh this in a slouting and jeering way; intimating, that David had as it were prostituted and exposed it himself to shame and disgrace, behaving himself not as a King, but as one of the vilest and contemptiblest among the people.]

21. But David said unto Michal, Before the face of the LORD, [As above ver.14, 16, 17. Intimating, that he did all this to the honour of God, and to manifest his thankfulness for Gods incomprehensible mercy and favour, both spiritual and corporal; yea, that he (as it followeth) was yet much more bound to do it, and would do it] which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, passing by thy father, and thy fathers house [instituting me a Leader; as 1 Sam.9.16. & 10.1. & 13.14. & 25.30. Heb. Commanding, or, enjoyning me a Leader, understand, to be, i.e. appointing, or ordering me a Leader. Compare below chap.7.on ver.11. and 1 Sam.13.14.] over the people of the LORD, over Israel; yea, I will play before the face of the LORD.

22. Also I will behave myself yet meaner then thus, and I will be low in mine (own) eyes, and with the handmaids, of which thou hast said, with the same shall I be glorified. [Accounting it to be no disgrace for me (as thou imaginest) but an honour in the sight of God, when I do honour and glorifie him with the least and meanest of his people, and make myself therein equal with them.]

23. Now Michal, Sauls daughter, had no child, until the day of her death. [i.e. As long as she lived, never. Compare 1 Sam.15.35. Mal.1.25, &c.]