Bible Study 2 Samuel 6
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2 Samuel 6 · WEB

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem; Uzzah and Michal

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David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Yahweh of Armies who sits above the cherubim.
3They set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4They brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of God. Ahio went before the ark.
5David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, including harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.
6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.
7Yahweh's anger was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error, and he died there by the ark of God.
8David was displeased because Yahweh had broken out against Uzzah; and that place is called Perez Uzzah to this day.
9David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, "How could the ark of Yahweh come to me?"
10So David would not move the ark of Yahweh to be with him in the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
12King David was told, "Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.
13When those who bore the ark of Yahweh had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was dressed in a linen ephod.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
16As the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.
17They brought in the ark of Yahweh and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh.
18When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Armies.
19He distributed to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house.
20Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel honored himself today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!"
21David said to Michal, "I was dancing before Yahweh, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before Yahweh.
22I will be even more lowly than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But the maidservants of whom you spoke — they will honor me."
23Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
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Summary

David attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, but the cart-transport method violates the law, and Uzzah dies when he steadies the Ark. After three months of the Ark blessing Obed-edom's household, David tries again — this time with proper Levitical protocol. He dances ecstatically before the Lord in a linen ephod. His wife Michal despises his display of abandon, and David rebukes her; the chapter closes with Michal dying childless.

Themes

  • The holiness of God and the danger of approaching him casually
  • Wholehearted, undignified worship as a model for encountering God
  • The contrast between religious formalism (Michal) and genuine devotion (David)
  • Jerusalem as the place where God's presence dwells among his people

Key verses

  • 2 Sam 6:14 — “David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was dressed in a linen ephod.”
  • 2 Sam 6:21 — “I was dancing before Yahweh, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel.”
  • 2 Sam 6:7 — “Yahweh's anger was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error, and he died there by the ark of God.”

Context & background

The Ark of the Covenant had been at Kiriath-jearim (Baale Judah) for roughly twenty years after the Philistines returned it (1 Sam 7:2). The Ark was to be carried on poles by Levites (Num 4), not on a cart — a detail David had neglected, apparently copying the Philistine method. Jerusalem (modern Jerusalem, Israel) is where David was establishing God's dwelling among his people; the tent he pitched for the Ark was on the southeastern ridge now known as the City of David in modern East Jerusalem. Obed-edom the Gittite was from Gath (a Philistine city), making it ironic and gracious that a Gentile household received the Ark's blessing. The Kidron Valley, which David would later cross during Absalom's rebellion, runs east of this area.

Cross-references

  • 1 Chr 15:13 — David explains the first failure: "We didn't seek him in the proper way"
  • John 4:24 — God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth
  • Num 4:15 — The law specifying Levites must carry the Ark on poles
  • Ps 150 — Full-bodied worship with instruments and dance
  • Ps 24:7-10 — "Lift up your heads, you gates... the King of glory shall come in" — likely a processional for the Ark

Check your reading

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  1. Observe

    What went wrong during the first attempt to move the Ark, and how did David respond?

  2. Observe

    How did Michal react to David's dancing, and what was David's response to her?

  3. Interpret

    Why do you think God struck Uzzah — who apparently meant well — so harshly? What principle about approaching a holy God is being illustrated?

  4. Interpret

    What does the contrast between David (dancing in a linen ephod before Yahweh) and Michal (watching from a window and despising him) reveal about two different orientations toward God?

  5. Apply

    David had to stop, reassess, and redo the process correctly before proceeding. When have you needed to "do it right" the second time in your relationship with God?

  6. Apply

    Michal was embarrassed by David's undignified worship. Are there ways in which concern for appearances holds you back from wholehearted worship?

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