2 Samuel 6:12-16, 2 Samuel 6:20-22 NKJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:12-19

We have here the second attempt to bring the ark home to the city of David; and this succeeded, though the former miscarried. I. It should seem the blessing with which the house of Obed-edom was blessed for the ark's sake was a great inducement to David to bring it forward; for when that was told him (2 Sam. 6:12) he hastened to fetch it to him. For, 1. It was an evidence that God was reconciled to them, and his anger was turned away. As David could read God's frowns upon them all in Uzzah's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:12

And it was told King David ,.... By some of his courtiers who had heard of it: saying, the Lord hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of the Lord ; it was so suddenly, in so short a time, and so largely, that it could not escape the notice and observation of men that knew him; and this increase was not in any natural way by which it could be accounted for; so that it could be ascribed to no other cause but the blessing of God, and that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:13

And it was so , that when they that bare the ark of the Lord ,.... The Levites; for now David had seen the former mistake, and rectified it, and ordered the Levites to "carry" it, as they did upon their shoulders, with the staves therein, see 1 Chronicles 15:2 ; when these had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings ; upon an altar, which was at once erected for that purpose; the number and kind of sacrifices offered were seven bullocks and seven rams, 1 Chronicles 15:26 ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:14

And David danced before the Lord with all his might ,.... That is, before the ark of the Lord; not a set dance, or along with others; but he leaped and skipped as "car", a lamb, does, and that for joy that the ark was like to be brought home to his house, without any token of the divine displeasure, as before; the Targum is,"he praised before the Lord with all his might;'exerted himself to the uttermost in singing the praises of God vocally, or by playing on an instrument; to which sense... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:15

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord ,.... The elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, 1 Chronicles 15:25 ; besides the common people; there might be as large a number with him now as before: with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet ; with the shouts of the people in common, and with blowing of trumpets by those who were appointed for that purpose, and with other instruments of music, see 1 Chronicles 15:27 ; Josephus says F18 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:16

And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David ,.... Being brought thither on the shoulders of the Levites: Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window ; in the king's palace, to see the procession, which was very grand, and in great pomp, attended by a vast number of people, and with music of all sorts. She is said to be Saul's daughter, though David's wife, as having a good deal of her father's haughty temper and disposition, as appears by what follows: and saw King... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:12

So David - brought up the ark - The Vulgate adds to this verse: And David had seven choirs, and a calf for a sacrifice. The Septuagint make a greater addition: "And he had seven choirs carrying the ark, a sacrifice, a calf, and lambs. And David played on harmonious organs before the Lord; and David was clothed with a costly tunic; and David and all the house of Israel, brought the ark of the Lord with rejoicing, and the sound of a trumpet." Nothing of this is found in any MS., nor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:14

And David danced before the Lord - Dancing is a religious ceremony among the Hindoos, and they consider it an act of devotion to their idols. It is evident that David considered it in the same light. What connection dancing can have with devotion I cannot tell. This I know, that unpremeditated and involuntary skipping may be the effect of sudden mental elation. read more

Adam Clarke