2 Samuel 6:3-8

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:6-11

We have here Uzzah struck dead for touching the ark, when it was upon its journey towards the city of David, a sad providence, which damped their mirth, stopped the progress of the ark, and for the present, dispersed this great assembly, which had come together to attend it, and sent them home in a fright. I. Uzzah's offence seems very small. He and his brother Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, in whose house the ark had long been lodged, having been used to attend it, to show their willingness to... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:4

And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was at Gibeah ,.... That is, the new cart, which is the last thing spoken of, 2 Samuel 6:3 ; and the bringing of the ark out of his house is mentioned before; though some take this to be the coffer in which were the presents of the Philistines, which was now brought out along with the ark, see 1 Samuel 6:8 , accompanying the ark of God ; or "with the ark of God" F6 עם ארון האלהים "cum arca Dei", Pagninus, Montanus,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:5

And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord ,.... That is, before the ark, which was a symbol of the presence of the Lord: on all manner of instruments made of fir wood : which is a general expression, the particulars follow; though instruments of different sorts are mentioned, and even some of metal, as cymbals, which were vessels of brass, they struck one against another, and gave a very acute sound, being hollow F7 Suidas in voce κυμβαλα . : even on... read more

John Gill

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

And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor ,.... Who is called Chidon, 1 Chronicles 13:9 ; he seems to have had two names; or it was a place that had two names, as say the Jews F8 T. Bab Sotah, fol. 35. 2. ; according to a tradition of theirs F9 Hieron. Trad. Heb. in lib. Paralipom. fol. 83. G. , Chidon is the name of the place where it was said to Joshua, stretch out the spear or shield in thine hand towards Ai, Joshua 8:18 ; so indeed the word signifies, nor was it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:7

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah ,.... And which was manifest by smiting him: and God smote him there for his error ; committed at this time, which was complicated; as that the ark was put upon a cart, to which he might be the chief adviser, as Procopius Gazaeus notes, when it should have been carried on the shoulders of the Levites; and that be touched it with his hand, which none but priests might do, supposing him to be a Levite, which it is not clear he was,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:8

And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah ,.... He could not easily submit, and be reconciled to the providence; his heart was ready to rise up against God, and murmur at him for striking him dead in such an awful manner, for so small a matter as this might seem to be; and the rather, as this put a stop to the procession, and cast a damp upon their joy and mirth on this occasion, and might seem to be an ill omen to David, and be improved by his enemies against... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:5

On all manner of instruments made of fir wood - This place should be corrected from the parallel place, 1 Chronicles 13:8 ; : "All Israel played before God, with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries," etc. Instead of עצי בכל bechol atsey , "with all woods" or "trees;" the parallel place is עז בכל bechol oz . "with all their strength:" this makes a good sense, the first makes none. The Septuagint, in this place, has the verse... read more

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