2 Samuel 6

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 6

1¶ Again, David gathered together all [the] chosen [men] of Israel, thirty thousand.

2And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims.

3And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which [was] at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

5And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of [instruments made of] fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

6¶ And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook [it].

7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God.

8And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

12¶ And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that [pertaineth] unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

13And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod.

15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16And 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 dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

19And he dealt among all the people, [even] among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece [of flesh], and a flagon [of wine]. So all the people departed every one to his house.

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 to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21And David said unto Michal, [It was] before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

David initially attempted to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem, but Uzzah was struck dead by the LORD for touching it when the cart carrying it stumbled. This caused David to fear, and he diverted the Ark to the house of Obed-edom, where its presence brought great blessings for three months. Encouraged by this, David successfully brought the Ark to Jerusalem with great celebration, dancing fervently before the LORD. His wife Michal, however, scorned his uninhibited worship, leading to a confrontation and her subsequent barrenness.

Medium Summary

King David gathered thirty thousand men to bring the Ark of God from Baale of Judah to Jerusalem, placing it on a new cart. At Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark as the oxen shook it, and the LORD immediately struck him dead for his error. Disturbed and afraid, David diverted the Ark to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, where it remained for three months, bringing significant blessings upon his household. Upon hearing of these blessings, David initiated a second, more reverent procession, carrying the Ark and offering sacrifices. David himself, clad in a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD as the Ark was brought into the City of David amidst great rejoicing. However, Michal, Saul's daughter, scorned David's uninhibited worship, leading to a sharp rebuke from David and her subsequent barrenness.

Long Summary

King David assembled thirty thousand chosen men of Israel to retrieve the Ark of God from Baale of Judah, intending to bring it to the City of David. They placed the sacred Ark upon a new cart, driven by Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, while the procession celebrated with various musical instruments. However, at Nachon's threshingfloor, when the oxen shook the cart, Uzzah put forth his hand to steady the Ark, and the LORD's anger was kindled, striking him dead for his error. David was displeased and afraid by this divine judgment, naming the place Perezuzzah, and decided not to bring the Ark into his city. Instead, he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, where it remained for three months. During this period, the LORD abundantly blessed Obed-edom and all his household because of the Ark's presence. When King David heard of these blessings, he was encouraged and, with renewed understanding of reverence, went to bring the Ark to Jerusalem with gladness. This time, the Ark was carried by those appointed, and David offered sacrifices of oxen and fatlings every six paces. David himself, girded with a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, leading the procession with shouting and the sound of trumpets. As the Ark entered the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, observed David leaping and dancing from a window and despised him in her heart for what she perceived as undignified behavior. The Ark was then placed in a tabernacle David had pitched, and he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, subsequently blessing the people and distributing provisions to all. Upon returning to bless his household, David was confronted by Michal, who scorned his public display. David defended his actions, declaring he danced before the LORD, who chose him over Saul's house to be ruler, and affirmed his willingness to humble himself further. Consequently, Michal remained childless until the day of her death.

Core Concepts

  • Reverence for the ArkThe chapter highlights the extreme sacredness of the Ark of God, demonstrating that it must be handled according to divine command, not human expediency, as seen in Uzzah's fate.
  • Divine JudgmentUzzah's immediate death serves as a stark example of God's swift and severe judgment against those who disregard His holy commands regarding the Ark, even with seemingly good intentions.
  • Divine BlessingThe presence of the Ark brought significant blessings upon the house of Obed-edom, demonstrating that God's presence, when properly honored, results in prosperity and favor.
  • David's Fervent WorshipKing David's uninhibited dancing and sacrifices before the LORD illustrate a deep, personal devotion and joy in God's presence, prioritizing worship over kingly decorum.
  • Michal's ScornMichal's contempt for David's humble and expressive worship reveals a focus on outward appearances and social status rather than spiritual devotion, stemming from her lineage and perspective.
  • Kingly HumilityDavid's willingness to humble himself by dancing and wearing a linen ephod, rather than royal robes, before the LORD demonstrates his understanding that his authority derived from God, and he was a servant first.
  • Consequences of DisrespectMichal's barrenness is presented as a direct consequence of her despising David's worship of the LORD, signifying a divine judgment against her spiritual disdain.