The Second Book of Samuel

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- Chapter 6 -

(1 Chronicles 13:1–7)

Then David again gathered together all the elect men of Israel, thirty thousand.

And David arose and went away, with the entire people who were with him from the men of Judah, so that they might lead back the ark of God, over which is invoked the name of the Lord of hosts, who sits upon the cherubim above it.

And they placed the ark of God on a new cart. And they took it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeon. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.(a)

And when they had taken it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeon, Ahio preceded the ark as the keeper of the ark of God.

Uzzah Touches the Ark

(1 Chronicles 13:8–14)

But David and all of Israel played before the Lord on every kind of musical instrument made of wood, and on harps, and lyres, and timbrels, and bells, and cymbals.

And after they had arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah extended his hand to the ark of God, and he touched it, because the oxen were kicking and had caused it to tip.

And the indignation of the Lord was enraged against Uzzah. And he struck him for his temerity. And there he died, beside the ark of God.

Then David was saddened because the Lord had struck Uzzah. And the name of that place was called: the Striking of Uzzah, even to this day.

And David was very fearful of the Lord on that day, saying, “How shall the ark of the Lord be brought to me?”

And he was not willing to send the ark of the Lord to himself in the city of David. Instead, he sent it into the house of Obededom, the Gittite.

And the ark of the Lord dwelt in the house of Obededom the Gittite, for three months. And the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 15:1–28)

And it was reported to king David that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that was his, because of the ark of God. Therefore, David went and brought the ark of God, from the house of Obededom, into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims.(b)

And when those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had traveled six steps, he immolated an ox and a ram.

And David danced with all his ability before the Lord. And David was girded with the linen ephod.

And David, and all the house of Israel, were leading the ark of the testament of the Lord, with jubilation and the sound of the trumpet.

Michal’s Contempt for David

(1 Chronicles 15:29–16:3)

And when the ark of the Lord had entered into the city of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord. And she despised him in her heart.

And they led in the ark of the Lord. And they set it in its place in the middle of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it. And David offered holocausts and peace offerings in the sight of the Lord.

And when he had completed offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

And he distributed to the entire multitude of Israel, as much to men as to women, to each one: one loaf of bread, and one piece of roasted beef, and fine wheat flour fried with oil. And all the people went away, each one to his own house.

And David returned, so that he might bless his own house. And Michal, the daughter of Saul, going out to meet David, said: “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself before the handmaids of his servants, and being unclothed, as if one of the performers were unclothed.”(c)

And David said to Michal: “Before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father, and rather than his entire house, and who commanded me, that I should be the leader over the people of the Lord in Israel,

I will both play and demean myself, more so than I have done. And I will be little in my own eyes. And with the handmaids, about whom you are speaking, I will appear more glorious.”

And so, there was no child born to Michal, the daughter of Saul, even to the day of her death.

Footnotes

(a)6:3 Gabaa:The hill of Cariathiarim, where the ark had been in the house of Abinadab, from the time of its being restored back by the Philistines.(Challoner)

(b)6:12 Choirs:Or companies of musicians.(Challoner)

(c)6:20 David was not naked when he danced, but was wearing less clothing, wearing above the waist the linen ephod, and wearing some type of garment below the waist (perhaps the type of short pants worn also by priests and Levites under their robes), so that he could move about more freely when dancing.(Conte)

(1 Chronicles 13:1–7)

David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

David 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 the LORD of Armies who sits above the cherubim.

They 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.

They brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark.

Uzzah Touches the Ark

(1 Chronicles 13:8–14)

David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals.

When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled.

The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.

David was displeased because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah

(a)

to this day.

David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How could the LORD’s ark come to me?”

So David would not move the LORD’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.

The LORD’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 15:1–28)

King David was told, “The LORD 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.

When those who bore the LORD’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.

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

Michal’s Contempt for David

(1 Chronicles 15:29–16:3)

As the LORD’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 the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

They brought in the LORD’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 the LORD.

When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Armies.

He 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.

Then 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!”

David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before the LORD.

I 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.”

Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

Footnotes

(a)6:8 “Perez Uzzah” means “outbreak against Uzzah”.