1Und Dawid versammelte wieder alle Auserlesenen in Jisraël: Dreißigtausend. 2Dann machte er sich auf, und Dawid und alles Volk, das bei ihm war, gingen von Baal-Jehuda aus, um von dort die Lade Gottes heraufzuführen, auf welcher der Name, der Name des Ewigen der Scharen, der über den Kerubim thront, genannt war. 3Und sie setzten die Lade Gottes auf einen neuen Wagen und brachten sie aus dem Haus Abinadabs, das auf dem Hügel war; und Usa und Ahjo, die Söhne Abinadabs, leiteten den neuen Wagen. 4Und sie trugen sie aus dem Haus Abinadabs, das auf dem Hügel war: (Usa) neben der Lade Gottes, während Ahjo vor der Lade schritt. 5Und Dawid und das ganze Haus Jisraël ergötzten vor dem Ewigen mit allerlei Gerät aus Zypressenholz, mit Zithern, Harfen, Pauken, Schellen und Zymbeln. 6Als sie aber zur Tenne des Gottesschlags gekommen waren, griff Usa nach der Lade Gottes und faßte sie, weil die Rinder sich losgemacht hatten. 7Da flammte des Ewigen Antlitz auf wider Usa, und Gott schlug ihn dort wegen des Vergehens, so daß er dort starb, neben der Lade Gottes. 8Und es verdroß Dawid, daß der Ewige an Usa einen Riß gerissen hatte; und er nannte jenen Ort «Perez Usa» bis auf diesen Tag. 9Nun fürchtete Dawid an jenem Tag den Ewigen und sagte: «Wie sollte die Lade des Ewigen zu mir kommen?» 10Und Dawid wollte die Lade des Ewigen nicht zu sich in die Dawidsburg einkehren lassen; so ließ Dawid sie in das Haus Obed-Edoms aus Gat abbiegen. 11Und die Lade des Ewigen blieb im Haus Obed-Edoms aus Gat drei Monate, und der Ewige segnete Obed-Edom und sein ganzes Haus. 12Und man berichtete dem König Dawid und sagte: «Gesegnet hat der Ewige das Haus Obed-Edoms und alles, was ihm gehört, um der Lade Gottes willen»; da ging Dawid hin und führte die Lade Gottes aus dem Haus Obed-Edoms in die Dawidsburg hinauf in Freuden. 13Und es war, als die Träger der Lade des Ewigen sechs Schritte gemacht hatten, da schlachtete er Ochsen und Stiere. 14Und Dawid tanzte mit aller Macht vor dem Ewigen, und Dawid war mit einem linnenen Efod bekleidet. 15Und Dawid und das ganze Haus Jisraël führten die Lade des Ewigen hinauf unter Jubel und Posaunenschall. 16Als nun die Lade des Ewigen in die Dawidsburg kam, schaute Michal, die Tochter Schauls, durchs Fenster, und als sie den König Dawid vor dem Ewigen hüpfen und tanzen sah, verachtete sie ihn in ihrem Herzen. 17Und sie brachten die Lade des Ewigen und stellten sie an ihren Ort in das Zelt, das Dawid für sie aufgeschlagen hatte. Darauf brachte Dawid Hochopfer vor dem Ewigen dar und Mahlopfer. 18Als Dawid dann geendet hatte, das Hochopfer und die Mahlopfer darzubringen, segnete er das Volk im Namen des Ewigen der Scharen. 19Und er verteilte unter das ganze Volk, unter die ganze Menge Jisraëls, so Mann wie Weib, für den einen Brotkuchen, den einen Ochsen und den einen Breitschaf. Dann ging das ganze Volk weg, ein jeder nach seinem Haus. 20Als Dawid heimkehrte, um sein Haus zu begrüßen, ging Michal, die Tochter Schauls, Dawid entgegen und sprach: «Wie würdevoll war heute der König von Jisraël, da er sich bloßgestellt hat vor den Augen der Mägde seiner Knechte, wie sich einer der Habenichtse bloßstellt.» 21Da sprach Dawid zu Michal: «Vor dem Ewigen, der mich erwählt hat vor deinem Vater und seinem ganzen Haus, mich zum Fürsten über das Volk des Ewigen, über Jisraël zu bestellen, vor dem Ewigen habe ich ergötzt 22und wollte mich noch über dies erniedrigen und war gering in meinen Augen; bei den Mägden aber, von denen du redest, bei ihnen werde ich geehrt werden.» 23Und Michal, die Tochter Schauls, hatte kein Kind bis zum Tag ihres Todes.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 DAVID FETCHES THE ARK FROM KIRJATH-JEARIM ON A NEW CART. (
2Sam 6:1-5)
Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel--(See
2Sam 5:1). The object of this second assembly was to commence a national movement for establishing the ark in Jerusalem, after it had continued nearly fifty years in the house of Abinadab (see on
1Chr 13:1).
2 from Baale of Judah--A very large force of picked men were selected for this important work lest the undertaking might be opposed or obstructed by the Philistines. Besides, a great concourse of people accompanied them out of veneration for the sacred article. The journey to Baale, which is related (
1Chr 13:6), is here presupposed, and the historian describes the course of the procession from that place to the capital.
3 they set the ark of God upon a new cart--or a covered wagon (see on
1Sam 6:7). This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violation of an express statute (see on
Num 4:15 and see
Num 7:9;
Num 18:3).
6 UZZAH SMITTEN. (
2Sam 6:6-11)
they came to Nachon's threshing-floor--or Chidon's (
1Chr 13:9). The Chaldee version renders the words, "came to the place prepared for the reception of the ark," that is, near the city of David (
2Sam 6:13).
the oxen shook it--or, "stumbled" (
1Chr 13:9). Fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under the impulse of momentary feeling, laid hold of it to keep it steady. Whether it fell and crushed him, or some sudden disease attacked him, he fell dead upon the spot. This melancholy occurrence not only threw a cloud over the joyous scene, but entirely stopped the procession; for the ark was left where it then was, in the near neighborhood of the capital. It is of importance to observe the proportionate severity of the punishments attending the profanation of the ark. The Philistines suffered by diseases, from which they were relieved by their oblations, because the law had not been given to them [
1Sam 5:8-12]; the Bethshemites also suffered, but not fatally [
1Sam 6:19]; their error proceeded from ignorance or inadvertency. But Uzzah, who was a Levite, and well instructed, suffered death for his breach of the law. The severity of Uzzah's fate may seem to us too great for the nature and degree of the offense. But it does not become us to sit in judgment on the dispensations of God; and, besides, it is apparent that the divine purpose was to inspire awe of His majesty, a submission to His law, and a profound veneration for the symbols and ordinances of His worship.
9 David was afraid of the Lord that day, &c.--His feelings on this alarming judgment were greatly excited on various accounts, dreading that the displeasure of God had been provoked by the removal of the ark, that the punishment would be extended to himself and people, and that they might fall into some error or neglect during the further conveyance of the ark. He resolved, therefore, to wait for more light and direction as to the path of duty. An earlier consultation by Urim would have led him right at the first, whereas in this perplexity and distress, he was reaping the fruits of inconsideration and neglect.
11 Obed-edom the Gittite--a Levite (
1Chr 15:18,
1Chr 15:21,
1Chr 15:24;
1Chr 16:5;
1Chr 26:4). He is called a Gittite, either from his residence at Gath, or more probably from Gath-rimmon, one of the Levitical cities (
Josh 21:24-
Josh 21:25).
12 DAVID AFTERWARDS BRINGS THE ARK TO ZION. (
2Sam 6:12-19)
it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God--The lapse of three months not only restored the agitated mind of the monarch to a tranquil and settled tone, but led him to a discovery of his former error. Having learned that the ark was kept in its temporary resting-place not only without inconvenience or danger, but with great advantage, he resolved forthwith to remove it to the capital, with the observance of all due form and solemnity (
1Chr 15:1-13). It was transported now on the shoulders of the priests, who had been carefully prepared for the work, and the procession was distinguished by extraordinary solemnities and demonstrations of joy.
13 when they that bare the ark . . . had gone six paces--Some think that four altars were hastily raised for the offering of sacrifices at the distance of every six paces (but see on
1Chr 15:26).
14 David danced before the Lord--The Hebrews, like other ancient people, had their sacred dances, which were performed on their solemn anniversaries and other great occasions of commemorating some special token of the divine goodness and favor.
with all his might--intimating violent efforts of leaping, and divested of his royal mantle (in a state of undress), conduct apparently unsuitable to the gravity of age or the dignity of a king. But it was unquestionably done as an act of religious homage, his attitudes and dress being symbolic, as they have always been in Oriental countries, of penitence, joy, thankfulness, and devotion. [See on
1Chr 15:27.]
17 they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it--The old tabernacle remained at Gibeon (
1Chr 16:39;
1Chr 21:29;
2Chr 1:3). Probably it was not removed because it was too large for the temporary place the king had appropriated, and because he contemplated the building of a temple.
18 he blessed the people--in the double character of prophet and king (see
1Kgs 8:55-56). [See on
1Chr 16:2.]
19 cake of bread--unleavened and slender.
a good piece of flesh--roast beef.
20 MICHAL'S BARRENNESS. (
2Sam 6:20-23)
Michal . . . came out to meet David, &c.--Proud of her royal extraction, she upbraided her husband for lowering the dignity of the crown and acting more like a buffoon than a king. But her taunting sarcasm was repelled in a manner that could not be agreeable to her feelings while it indicated the warm piety and gratitude of David.
