2 Samuel 6:10
ESV
So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
NIV
He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
NASB
And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite.
CSB
So he was not willing to bring the ark of the Lord to the city of David; instead, he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.
NLT
So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.
KJV
So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
NKJV
So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
What does 2 Samuel 6:10 mean?
God's authority has always been a priority for David. It kept him from killing King Saul during his murderous rampages (1 Samuel 18:10–11). It seems it also kept him from forcing the northern and eastern tribes to follow him when he was king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). He even avenged Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and the king of Israel, when he was murdered (2 Samuel 4).Now that David is king of the united nation and has established his capital in Jerusalem, he still wants God near, so he decides to move the ark of the covenant into his city. Unfortunately, his devotion to God's word slips. David either didn't know or didn't pay attention to God's commands about how to transport the ark (Exodus 25:12–15; Deuteronomy 10:8). His desire to bring the ark to Jerusalem is good, and his worship is sincere (2 Samuel 6:5), but he doesn't obey the Lord with the same energy.
Because of this, a good man is dead. David is first angry with God, then fearful (2 Samuel 6:6–9). Recognizing he isn't prepared to host God's presence, David sends the ark to the nearby home of Obed-edom.
For three months, God blesses Obed-edom. When David hears, he repents, returns to the ark, and has it carried properly (2 Samuel 6:11–15).
Obed-edom is a Gittite—possibly from the Philistine city of Gath—or his name may mean he owns vineyards. Some scholars suggest he may be part of a Philistine guard serving David (2 Samuel 15:18).
