2 Samuel 6:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:1-5

We have not heard a word of the ark since it was lodged in Kirjath-jearim, immediately after its return out of its captivity among the Philistines (1 Sam. 7:1, 2), except that, once, Saul called for it, 1 Sam. 14:18. That which in former days had made so great a figure is now thrown aside, as a neglected thing, for many years. And, if now the ark was for so many years in a house, let it not seem strange that we find the church so long in the wilderness, Rev. 12:14. Perpetual visibility is no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:3

And they set the ark of God upon a new cart ,.... Which was a great mistake, since it ought not to have been put upon a cart, old or new; it was to be borne upon men's shoulders, and carried by Levites only, and those of the family of Kohath, to whom no wagons were given, when others had them, for the above reason, Numbers 7:9 ; it is strange that so many priests and Levites, and of the people of Israel gathered together on that account, and David also, so well versed in the law of God,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:3

A new cart - Every thing used in the worship of God was hallowed or set apart for that purpose: a new cart was used through respect, as that had never been applied to any profane or common purpose. But this was not sufficient, for the ark should have been carried on the shoulders of the priests; and the neglect of this ceremony was the cause of the death of Uzzah. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 6:3

The house of Abinadab in Gibeah - . Rather, on the hill (as in margin and 1 Samuel 7:1). It does not at all follow that Abinadab was still alive, nor can we conclude from Uzzah and Ahio being called sons of Abinadab, that they were literally his children. They may well have been sons of Eleazar and grandsons of Abinadab, or yet more remote descendants; since there is no distinct evidence that Abinadab was alive even when the ark was brought to Kirjath-jearim. The house may have retained the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 6:3

2 Samuel 6:3 . And they set the ark of God upon a new cart Which ought to have been carried upon the shoulders of the Kohathites, Numbers 7:9; for which reason, no wagons, were allowed to them, as there were to the rest of the Levites, to carry several parts of the tabernacle. “It is matter of astonishment to me,” says Delaney, “how David and all the priests and people could fall into so great an error, and deviate so strangely from the plain precepts of the law of God in this point, which... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:1-23

The ark brought to Jerusalem (6:1-23)Part of the reason for Israel’s weakness during Saul’s reign was the king’s lack of interest in the nation’s religious life. David was determined to correct this state of affairs. He began by restoring the ark, symbol of God’s presence, to its rightful position as the centre of Israel’s religious life. (During Saul’s reign the ark had remained in a country house in Kiriath-jearim, also known as Baal-judah or Baalah; 1 Samuel 7:1-2; 1 Chronicles 13:5-6; 1... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 6:3

a new cart. This was contrary to the Divinely prescribed law (Numbers 4:15 ; Numbers 7:9 ; Numbers 10:21 .Deuteronomy 10:8 . Joshua 3:14 . Jos 15:24 . 1 Chronicles 13:7 ; 1 Chronicles 15:2 , &c.) When the Philistines did it in ignorance (1 Samuel 6:7 ) no judgment fell on them, because the Law of Moses was not delivered to them. But David should have known: hence judgment came. The solemn lesson is that anything introduced into the worship of God contrary to His requirements is deserving... read more

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