II Samuel 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Thirty thousand - This is supposed to have been a new levy; and thus he augmented his army by 30,000 fresh troops. The Septuagint has 70,000.
Open source ↗DAVID FETCHES THE ARK FROM KIRJATH-JEARIM ON A NEW CART. (Sa2 6:1-5) Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel--(See Sa2 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 Ch1 13:1).
Open source ↗Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. Which was done by the advice of his officers, Ch1 13:1; the word "again" refers either to the gathering of them when they made him king in Hebron, as the Jewish writers generally observe; but then they gathered themselves, and not David: or rather to his gathering them to fight the Philistines a little while ago; and as they were the choice and young men that were gathered for war, as being the fittest, so now to fetch up the ark with dancing and singing, and to protect it; the Septuagint version says they were about seventy thousand; but the Targum, Syriac, and Arabic versions, have thirty thousand, agreeably to the Hebrew text. ; the word "again" refers either to the gathering of them when they made him king in Hebron, as the Jewish writers generally observe; but then they gathered themselves, and not David: or rather to his gathering them to fight the Philistines a little while ago; and as they were the choice and young men that were gathered for war, as being the fittest, so now to fetch up the ark with dancing and singing, and to protect it; the Septuagint version says they were about seventy thousand; but the Targum, Syriac, and Arabic versions, have thirty thousand, agreeably to the Hebrew text. 2 Samuel 6:2 sa2 6:2 sa2 6:2 sa2 6:2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him,.... The thirty thousand chosen men gathered together, and as many else as chose to go: from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God; that is, they first went to this place, as in Ch1 13:6; in order to fetch the ark from thence, as here expressed, and then they came from thence with it; this place is the same that is called Baalah and Kirjathbaal, a city in the tribe of Judah; henc…
Open source ↗Sa2 6:1 The ark fetched from Kirjath-jearim. - Sa2 6:1. "David assembled together again all the chosen men in Israel, thirty thousand." יסף for יאסף is the Kal of אסף, as in Sa1 15:6; Psa 104:29. עוד, again, once more, points back to Sa2 5:1, Sa2 5:3, where all Israel is said to have assembled for the first time in Hebron to anoint David king. It is true that that assembly was not convened directly by David himself; but this was not the point in question, but merely their assembling a second time (see Bertheau on Ch1 13:5). בּחוּר does not mean "the young men" here (νεάνια, lxx), or "the fighting men," but, according to the etymology of the word, "the picked men." Instead of thirty thousand, the lxx have seventy chiliads, probably with an intentional exaggeration, because the number of men in Israel who were capable of bearing arms amounted to more than thirty thousand. The whole nation, through a very considerable body of representatives, was to take part in the removal of the ark. The writer of the Chronicles gives a more elaborate account of the preparations for these festivities (Ch1 13:1-5); namely, that David took counsel with the heads of thousands and hundreds, and all the leaders, i.e., all the heads of families and households, and then with their consent collected together the whole nation from the brook of Egypt to Hamath, of course not every individual, but a large number of heads of households as representatives of the whole. This account in the Chronicles is not an expansion of the brief notice given here; but the account before us is a condensation of the fuller description given in the sources that were employed by both authors. Sa2 6:2 "David went with all the people that were with him to Baale-Jehuda, to fetch up the ark of God from thence." The words…
Open source ↗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 (Sa1 7:1, Sa1 7:2), except that, once, Saul called for it, Sa1 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 mark of the true church. God is graciously present with the souls of his people even when they want the external tokens of his presence. But now that David is settled in the throne the honour of the ark begins to revive, and Israel's care of it to flourish again, wherein also, no doubt, the good people among them had been careful, but they lacked opportunity. See Phi 4:10. I. Here is honourable mention made of the ark. Because it had not been spoken of a great while, now that it is spoken of observe how it is described (Sa2 6:2): it is the ark of God whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubim, or at which the name, even the name of the Lord of hosts, was called upon, or upon which the name of the Lord of hosts was called, or because of which the name is proclaimed, the name of the Lord of hosts (that is, God was greatly magnified in the miracles done before the ark), or the ark of God, who is called the name (Lev 24:11, Lev 24:16), the name of the Lord of hosts, sitting on the cherubim upon it. Let us learn hence, 1. To think and speak highly of God. He is the name above every name, the Lord of hosts, that has all the creatures in heaven and earth at his command, and receives homage from them all, and yet is pleased to dwell between the c…
Open source ↗6:1-23 Except for the brief reference in 1 Sam 14:18 (see note), the Ark of the Covenant has not been mentioned since 1 Sam 7:1-2, when the Philistines returned the captured Ark to Beth-shemesh and then to Kiriath-jearim, where it was placed in Abinadab’s home. The Ark’s virtual absence during Saul’s forty-year reign highlights that Saul, in his spiritual insensitivity, did not seek the Lord (see 1 Chr 10:13-14; 13:3). David brought the Ark into Jerusalem, effectively acknowledging and enthroning (see 2 Sam 6:2) Yahweh as the true king over Israel in the new capital.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בַּעֲלֵי יְהוּדָה (Baʻălêy Yᵉhûwdâh, H1184) — Baale-Jehudah, a place in Palestine עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure
Open source ↗רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָדָשׁ (châdâsh, H2319) — new עֲגָלָה (ʻăgâlâh, H5699) — something revolving, i.e. a wheeled vehicle נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֲבִינָדָב (ʼĂbîynâdâb, H41) — Abinadab, the name of four Israelites גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine עֻזָּא (ʻUzzâʼ, H5798) — Uzza or Uzzah, the name of five Israelites אַחְיוֹ (ʼAchyôw, H283) — Achio, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָהַג (nâhag, H5090) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to…
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֲבִינָדָב (ʼĂbîynâdâb, H41) — Abinadab, the name of four Israelites גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine עִם (ʻim, H5973) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications;… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אַחְיוֹ (ʼAchyôw, H283) — Achio, the name of three Israelites הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בְּרוֹשׁ (bᵉrôwsh, H1265) — a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) כִּנּוֹר (kinnôwr, H3658) — a harp נֶבֶל (nebel, H5035) — a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape… תֹּף (tôph, H8596) — a tambourine מְנַעְנַע (mᵉnaʻnaʻ, H4517) — a sistrum (so called from its rattling sound) צְלָצַל (tsᵉlâtsal, H6767) — a clatter, i.e. (abstractly) whirring (of wings); (concretely) a cricket; also a harpoon…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָכוֹן (Nâkôwn, H5225) — Nakon, probably an Israelite גֹּרֶן (gôren, H1637) — a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area עֻזָּא (ʻUzzâʼ, H5798) — Uzza or Uzzah, the name of five Israelites שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָחַז (ʼâchaz, H270) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… שָׁמַט (shâmaṭ, H8058) — to fling down; incipiently to jostle; figuratively, to let alone, desist, remit
Open source ↗אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy עֻזָּא (ʻUzzâʼ, H5798) — Uzza or Uzzah, the name of five Israelites אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) שַׁל (shal, H7944) — a fault מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) פֶּרֶץ (perets, H6556) — a break (literally or figuratively) עֻזָּא (ʻUzzâʼ, H5798) — Uzza or Uzzah, the name of five Israelites קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… פֶּרֶץ עֻזָּא (Perets ʻUzzâʼ, H6560) — Perets-Uzza, a place in Palestine יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָבָה (ʼâbâh, H14) — to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם (ʻÔbêd ʼĔdôwm, H5654) — Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites גִּתִּי (Gittîy, H1663) — a Gittite or inhabitant of Gath
Open source ↗אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם (ʻÔbêd ʼĔdôwm, H5654) — Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites גִּתִּי (Gittîy, H1663) — a Gittite or inhabitant of Gath שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as…
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם (ʻÔbêd ʼĔdôwm, H5654) — Obed-Edom, the name of five Israelites אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָעַד (tsâʻad, H6805) — to pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively)… שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth צַעַד (tsaʻad, H6806) — a pace or regular step זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) שׁוֹר (shôwr, H7794) — a bullock (as a traveller) מְרִיא (mᵉrîyʼ, H4806) — stall-fed; often (as noun) a beeve
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse כָּרַר (kârar, H3769) — to dance (i.e. whirl) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) בַּד (bad, H906) — flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
Open source ↗Cross-references
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At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.