2 Samuel 6
2 Samuel 6 develops around the process in which David brings the ark of the covenant of the Lord to Jerusalem. This chapter shows where the center of faith and worship is for the community of Israel, and how reverence and joy before God are balanced.
1verseDavid again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2verseDavid 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.
3verseThey 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.
4verseThey brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark.
5verseDavid 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.
6verseWhen they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled.
7verseThe LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.
8verseDavid was displeased because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day.
9verseDavid was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, “How could the LORD’s ark come to me?”
10verseSo 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.
11verseThe LORD’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.
12verseKing 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.
13verseWhen those who bore the LORD’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14verseDavid danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.
15verseSo David and all the house of Israel brought up the LORD’s ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
16verseAs 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.
17verseThey 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.
18verseWhen David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Armies.
19verseHe 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.
20verseThen 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!”
21verseDavid 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.
22verseI 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.”
23verseMichal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–5: David gathers with the leaders of Israel to move the ark of the covenant. This expresses a longing to bring God’s presence back among the people.
- Verses 6–11: An incident occurs in which Uzzah touches the ark while it is being carried, and he dies on the spot. As a result, David and the people experience fear, and the ark remains in the house of Obed-edom.
- Verses 12–15: After hearing that Obed-edom’s household was blessed, David brings the ark to Jerusalem again—with renewed joy and reverence.
- Verses 16–23: While David joyfully dances and worships in the presence of the ark, Michal watches from a window and despises it. Through this, you can see the attitude of worship offered to God and a perspective on external evaluation.
Meaning of the Entire Chapter
This chapter makes you think about reverence and joy before God, and the essence of true worship. In the process of moving the ark of the covenant, the lack of godliness that was overlooked—and David’s second attempt to restore it—shows that the place of faith must always follow God’s will and ways. Meanwhile, David’s deep joy and worship, and Michal’s criticism, point to the importance of the posture with which we come to worship.
Points to Ponder
- When you worship, let’s think about what you put at the center. Are you truly exalting God?
- When you encounter God’s presence, what kind of attitude do you have? Are you perhaps treating it with a light heart or in the way of an ordinary daily habit?
- In the journey of faith, it’s worth reflecting on whether you respect the methods and order that God has established.
Applying It to Me
- Let’s check whether there is a heart of reverence for God in today’s worship and in everyday life.
- In your life of faith, place God’s will as a priority, and try to put into practice how you can concretely make efforts to live in a way that pleases Him.
