View 2nd Samuel 6 in the note window.
The ark is brought from the house of Abinadab, ver. 1 - 5.
Its progress stopped by the death of Uzzah, ver. 6 - 11.
It is brought into the city of David with solemn rejoicings,
ver. 12 - 19.
David answers the reproof of Michal, ver. 20 - 23.
2: On which, &c. - That is, by, or before which, they were to present
their prayers to God for counsel and succour upon all occasions. And this
is mentioned here as the reason why David put himself and his people to
so great trouble and charge, because it was to fetch up the choicest
treasure which they had.
3: They set, &c. - Being taught, and encouraged to do so, by the
example of the Philistines, who did so without any token of God's
displeasure upon them for so doing. But they did not sufficiently consider,
that God might wink at the Philistines, because they were ignorant of
God's laws; and yet be angry with them for the same thing, because they
knew, or might have known the law of God, which commanded the priests to
bear it upon their shoulders. But their present transports of joy of the
happy change of their affairs, and their greedy desire of having the ark
of God removed, made them inconsiderate. In Gibeah - Or, on the hill,
as (1Sa 7:1).
5: Played before the Lord - Public joy should always be as before
the Lord, with an eye to him, and terminating in him. Otherwise it is
no better than public madness, and the source of all manner of wickedness.
7: He died - This may seem very severe, considering his intention was
pious, and his transgression not great. But, besides that, men are improper
judges of the actions of God; and that God's judgments are always just,
though sometimes obscure: it is reasonable, God should make some present
examples of his high displeasure against sins, seemingly small; partly, for
the demonstration of his own exact and impartial holiness; partly, for the
establishment of discipline, and for the greater terror and caution of
mankind, who are very prone to have slight thoughts of sin, and to give way
to small sins, and thereby to be led on to greater; all which is, or may be
prevented by such instances of severity: and consequently there is more of
God's mercy, than of his justice, in such actions, because the justice is
confined to one particular person, but the benefit of it common to mankind
in that, and all future ages.
8: Displeased - Or, grieved, both for the sin, and for God's
heavy judgment; whereby their hopes were dashed, and their joys interrupted.
Perez - uzzah - That is, the breach of Uzzah.
10: House of Obed - edom - Obed - edom knew what slaughter the ark
had made among the Philistines and the Bethshemites. He saw
Uzzah struck dead; yet invites it to his house, and opens his doors
without fear, knowing it was a savour of death, only to them that treated
it ill. "O the courage, says Bishop Hall, of an honest and faithful
heart! Nothing can make God otherwise than amiable to him: even his justice
is lovely."
11: The Lord blessed, &c. - The same hand that punished Uzzah's
presumption, rewarded Obed - edom's humble boldness. None ever had, or
ever shall have reason to say, that it is in vain to serve God. Piety
is the best friend to prosperity. His household too shared in the blessing.
It is good living in a family that entertains the ark; for all about it will
fare the better for it.
14: Danced - To express his thankfulness to God by his outward
carriage, according to the manner of those times.
Linen ephod - The usual habit of the priests and Levites, in their
sacred ministrations yet sometimes worn by others, as it was by the young
child Samuel; and so David, who laid by his royal robes, and put on
this robe to declare, that although he was king of Israel, yet he
willingly owned himself to be the Lord's minister and servant.
16: Despised - As one of a base and mean spirit, that knew not how to
carry himself with that majesty which became his place.
17: David had pitched - For Moses tabernacle was still at
Gibeon, (1Ch 16:39,21:29,2Ch 1:3), which David left there,
because he designed to build a temple at Jerusalem with all speed.
18: He blessed - That is, he heartily and solemnly prayed to God for
his blessing upon them: which he did both as a prophet, and as their king,
to whom by office it belongs, by all means, to seek his people's welfare.
20: Bless his household - Ministers must not think, that their public
performances will excuse them from family worship: but when they have
blessed the public assembly, they are to return and bless their own
household. And none is too great to do this. It is the work of angels to
worship God; and therefore certainly can be no disparagement to the greatest
of men. Who uncovered - By stripping himself of his royal robes, that he
might put on a Levitical ephod.
21: Before the Lord - In his presence and service, which though
contemptible to thee, is, and ever shall be honourable in mine eyes.
Who chose - Who took away the honour from him and his, and transferred it
unto me, whereby he hath obliged me to love and serve him with all my might.
22: More vile than thus - The more we are vilified for well doing,
the more resolute therein we should be, binding our religion the closer
to us, for the endeavours of Satan's agents to shame us out of it.
Be base - I will always be ready to abase myself before God, and think
nothing to mean to stoop to for his honour.
Be had in honour - So far will they be from despising me on this account,
that they will honour me the more.
23: Therefore - Because of her proud and petulant speech and
carriage to David, which God justly punished with barrenness.
No child - After this time.
