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Matthew Henry

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 6:13

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:12-15

( 1 Chronicles 15:1-29 .). ( JERUSALEM ) The ark led forth with devout enthusiasm. A man's ruling passion, although repressed for a season, surely reappears. It was thus with David's affection for the ark of God, and his desire to bring it up to Zion, where he had prepared a new tent, tabernacle, or pavilion ( Psalms 27:5 ), for its reception ( 2 Samuel 6:17 ), in or adjoining his own palace ( 1 Chronicles 14:1 ; 1 Chronicles 15:1 ). His zeal, which had been checked by fear,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:12-19

The ark brought to Zion. A grand day for Israel, and indeed for the world; the beginning of the religious significance of "Zion" and "Jerusalem," and the mighty spiritual influence which has gone forth far and wide from that centre. With respect to the bringing of the ark "into the city of David," we remark— I. IT WAS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF A DELAYED PURPOSE . Although David was shocked and alarmed by the event which compelled him to desist from his first endeavour, he did... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:12-23

The facts are: 1 . David, learning the blessing that had come upon the house of Obed-Edom, resolves to bring up the ark to Jerusalem. 2 . Having made arrangements in accordance with the Law for the proper bearing of the ark, he inaugurates the procession by a sacrifice. 3 . Girded with a linen ephod, he dances before the ark, and with music and shouting it enters Jerusalem. 4 . Placing the ark in the tabernacle he had provided for it, he offers burnt offerings and peace... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:13

When they that bare the ark of Jehovah had gone six, paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings; Hebrew, an ox and a fatling. Many suppose that David sacrificed an ox and a fatling every six paces along the whole way from the house of Obed-Edom, which was probably near or even in Jerusalem, unto the tent prepared for the ark in Zion. "Evidently the way to the holy city was a way of blood. The stained streets of Zion, the rivers of blood, the slaughtered heaps and the blaze of altar fires... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:14

And David danced. The word used means the springing round in half circles to the sound of music. Conder has given a very interesting account of the dancing of the Malawiyeh, which consisted in turning round in whole circles, resting on the heel of the left foot. As David danced with all his might, he was evidently strongly excited with religious fervour. We have the expression of his feelings in the psalm composed for this occasion ( 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 ); subsequently it seems to have... read more

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