II Samuel 6:11

Removal of the ark of God to the city of David (cf. 1 Chron 15). - Sa2 6:11, Sa2 6:12. When the ark had been in the house of Obed-edom for three months, and David heard that the Lord had blessed his house for the sake of the ark of God, he went thither and brought it up to the city of David with gladness i.e., with festal rejoicing, or a solemn procession. (For שׂמהה, in the sense of festal rejoicing, or a joyous fte, see Gen 31:27; Neh 12:43, etc.) On this occasion, however, David adhered strictly to the instructions of the law, as the more elaborate account given in the Chronicles clearly shows. He not only gathered together all Israel at Jerusalem to join in this solemn act, but summoned the priests and Levites, and commanded them to sanctify themselves, and carry the ark "according to the right," i.e., as the Lord had commanded in the law of Moses, and to offer sacrifices during the procession, and sin songs, i.e., psalms, with musical accompaniment. In the very condensed account before us, all that is mentioned is the carrying of the ark, the sacrificing during the march, and the festivities of the king and people. But even from these few facts we see that David had discovered his former mistake, and had given up the idea of removing the ark upon a carriage as a transgression of the law.

The obscurity of the ark, during the reign of Saul, had been as great a grievance to Israel as the insults of the Philistines. David, having humbled the Philistines and mortified them in gratitude for that favour, and in pursuance of his designs for the public welfare, is here bringing up the ark to his own city, that it might be near him, and be an ornament and strength to his new foundation. Here is, I. An attempt to do it, which failed and miscarried. The design was well laid (Sa2 6:1, Sa2 6:2). But, 1. They were guilty of an error in carrying it in a cart (Sa2 6:3-5). 2. They were punished for that error by the sudden death of Uzzah (Sa2 6:6, Sa2 6:7), which was a great terror to David (Sa2 6:8, Sa2 6:9) and put a stop to his proceedings (Sa2 6:10, Sa2 6:11). II. The great joy and satisfaction with which it was at last done (Sa2 6:12-15). And, 1. The good understanding between David and his people (Sa2 6:17-19). 2. The uneasiness between David and his wife upon that occasion (Sa2 6:16, Sa2 6:20-23). And, when we consider that the ark was both the token of God's presence and a type of Christ, we shall see that this story is very instructive.

6:11 God blessed Obed-edom with health, prosperity, and family. God’s presence, which is a curse to the ungodly (1 Sam 5), is a blessing to his people. Obed-edom must have taken care to preserve the Ark’s sanctity.