2 Samuel 6 Study Notes

6:1 David wanted a large and representative delegation, so he assembled fit young men in Israel.

6:2 Baale-judah was also known as Kiriath-jearim, located in Benjamin. The ark of God had been there since Samuel’s days (1Sm 7:1). The cherubim adorned the mercy seat atop the ark, stretching their wings toward each other (Ex 25:20).

6:3 The people set the ark . . . on a new cart instead of carrying it on poles as the law prescribed (Ex 25:12-15). The people of God did no better than the pagan Philistines had done (1Sm 6:7). This decision would have disastrous consequences (2Sm 6:6-7).

6:4 On Abinadab’s house on the hill, see 1Sm 7:1.

6:5 With all kinds of fir wood instruments is literally “with all kinds of fir trees.” The parallel in 1Ch 13:8 has “with all their might‘¦ with songs.”

6:6-7 The site of Nacon’s threshing floor is unknown. Uzzah meant well when he tried to steady the ark when the oxen . . . stumbled, but God struck him dead for his irreverence. Good intentions must be coupled with proper reverence when approaching God (cp. Heb 12:29).

6:8 David’s anger was perhaps due to Uzzah’s carelessness that led to God’s anger being displayed. The king had not wanted such a joyous celebration to be marred by death. It is also possible that David’s anger was directed at God, for humans often fail to comprehend God’s justice.

6:9 David feared the Lord that day in a way he had never done before. His question was prompted by his own sense of sinfulness, uncleanness, and his realization of the holiness of God.

6:10 The ark of the Lord ended up at the house of Obed-edom (1Ch 15:16-18). Rather than being from Gath (21:19; 1Sm 17:4), Obed-edom may have lived near an olive press or wine press (Hb gath).

6:11 David delayed his plan for three months, perhaps to ensure the time of God’s wrath had passed (v. 12), or perhaps out of reverent fear (v. 9).

6:12 News of Obed-edom’s prosperity convinced David the ark was safe to move carefully now.

6:13 This time they carried the ark (see note at v. 3). David’s sacrifice of an ox and a fattened calf after the ark had barely moved probably reveals he still had some concerns about the Lord’s anger over the previous incident with Uzzah.

6:14-16 A linen ephod was a fine garment, typically worn by priests or Levites (Ex 28:6; 1Sm 2:18). Although David was dancing in worship before the Lord, the text does not indicate he actually assumed a priestly role. We should not understand v. 13 as meaning David actually performed the sacrifice, though he certainly was leading his people in worship.

The text states one reason why Saul’s daughter Michal . . . saw King David and despised him in her heart is that his actions seemed vulgar to her (cp. v. 20 and note there). In addition to this, perhaps she was not sincere in her faith in the Lord (1Sm 19:13), or perhaps she was angry that David had taken her back from Paltiel (2Sm 3:13-16).

6:17-19 Burnt offerings marked general dedication to God, while fellowship offerings were sacrificial meals shared by priests and worshipers. Fellowship offerings were often presented for special blessings, and bringing the ark to Jerusalem certainly would have qualified as a blessing.

Some suggest that David’s priestly activities relied on an ancient Jerusalemite tradition preserved in Gn 14:18-20 and Ps 110 (R. P. Gordon). Having conquered Jerusalem, David arguably obtained the position of king and priest in the order of Melchizedek. Note David’s sons are designated “priests” in the MT version of 2Sm 8:18.

6:20 Michal disapproved of David’s dancing before the slave girls of his subjects, and she suggested his actions at least bordered on the vulgar. As a daughter of a king herself, she may have wanted King David to be more aloof from the common people.

6:21 David responded sharply. He had danced before the Lord to celebrate God’s goodness on his life. God had chosen him to succeed Saul, Michal’s father, as well as Saul’s whole family. David’s mention of whole household or family was a subtle jab at Michal as well. Perhaps Michal was more a daughter of Saul than she was a wife of David.

6:22 Michal apparently did not think David should humble himself by celebrating as he did, but David insisted that he had acted appropriately and would continue to do so.

6:23 Some suggest Michal’s childlessness was the result of God’s direct judgment, but the text is not clear on this. Her childlessness may have resulted from her and David having no conjugal relations due to the obvious tension in their marriage.