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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:6

Uzzah put forth his hand - In Numbers 4:15-20 , the Levites are forbidden to touch the ark on pain of death, this penalty was inflicted upon Uzzah, and he was the first that suffered for a breach of this law. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:7

Smote him there for his error - Uzzah sinned through ignorance and precipitancy; he had not time to reflect, the oxen suddenly stumbled; and, fearing lest the ark should fall, he suddenly stretched out his hand to prevent it. Had he touched the ark with impunity, the populace might have lost their respect for it and its sacred service, the example of Uzzah must have filled them with fear and sacred reverence; and, as to Uzzah, no man can doubt of his eternal safety. He committed a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:1-11

The facts are: 1 . David, deeming the time to be come for reorganizing the religious services, raises a select force wherewith to bring the ark from its obscurity at Kirjath-jearim. 2 . Providing a new cart, the ark is set thereon, and brought out of the house of Abinadab under charge of his two sons. 3 . David and the people move in joyous procession before the ark to music from all manner of instruments. 4 . Arriving at a certain place, Uzzab, putting forth his hand to steady... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:3

And they set the ark of God (Hebrew, made it ride ) upon a new cart. This was contrary to the Levitical Law, which required that only Levites should bear the ark, and that it should be veiled even from their eyes ( Numbers 4:15 ). But this mistake is not surprising. It is easy enough for us to turn to our Bibles, and see what the exact letter of a command was. But such reference was no easy matter when the Law was contained in manuscripts which were rare and costly. We cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:3-5

( 1 Chronicles 13:7 , 1 Chronicles 13:8 ). ( KIRJATH - JEARIM .) The ark brought out of deep obscurity. The enterprise was marked by— I. A GREAT DISCOVERY . "We found it in the fields of the wood" ( Psalms 132:6 ). 1 . An invaluable treasure, long hidden, from view; like the "treasure hid in a field," and the "pearl of great price" ( Matthew 13:44-46 ). 2 . A significant memorial of God's mercies in times past. What manifold and mighty events would be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:4

Accompanying (Hebrew, with ) the ark. The verse is evidently corrupt, and we have no aid from the parallel place in Chronicles, except the fact that it is omitted there. The most probable explanation is that the first half of the verse has been repeated from 2 Samuel 6:3 by the error of some copyist, and that the original words were "Uzzah and Ahio drove the new cart with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark." While Uzzah walked at the side, Ahio went before the oxen to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:5

Played . The word does not mean "played on a musical instrument," but "danced and rejoiced." On all manner … of fir wood. The Hebrew literally is, with all cypress woods. In 1 Chronicles 13:8 we find "with all their might, even with songs," etc. Gesenius, in his 'History of the Hebrew Language,' describes this as a mere guess at a misunderstood text, and Maurer ridicules it as a stupid emendation. More sensibly Thenius regards it as the right reading, and the words here as a corruption... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:6

Nachon's threshing floor. In the parallel place ( 1 Chronicles 13:9 ) we find "the threshing floor of Chidon," and "Chidon" is proved to have been a proper name by the feebleness of the attempts made to find for it a meaning. We therefore gather that "Nachou" is also a proper name, but otherwise we should certainly have translated it "a fixed threshing floor." The people did indeed thresh or trample out their corn often on summer threshing floors ( Daniel 2:35 ), that is, on fitting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:6-7

The death of Uzzah. A startling event. Startling to us to read of. How much more to witness, in the midst of all the pomp and joy with which David was bringing the ark to consecrate his newly founded capital, to inaugurate a revival of religion amongst the people, and thus make some fitting return to God for all his goodness to monarch and subjects, and promote in the best and surest way the welfare of all! It is by sudden, startling, and terrible events that God very commonly calls... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:6-8

( 1 Chronicles 13:9-11 ). ( GOREN NACHON .) The ark upheld with irreverent hands. Read who the Church would cleanse, and mark How stern the warning runs: There are two ways to guard her ark— As patrons and as sons." ('Lyra Apostolica.') The fair prospects of a great enterprise are sometimes darkened, as by a thunderstorm, in consequence of the improper manner in which it is conducted. The forbearance of God toward those who transgress his ordinances is often unheeded,... read more

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