2 Samuel 6:3
ESV
And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart,
NIV
They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart
NASB
They had mounted the ark of God on a new cart and moved it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart.
CSB
They set the ark of God on a new cart and transported it from Abinadab’s house, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart
NLT
They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart
KJV
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
NKJV
So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
What does 2 Samuel 6:3 mean?
David arrives in Kiriath-jearim, also called Baale-judah, leading thirty divisions of warriors and a huge contingent of the people of Israel. His goal is to bring the ark of God (Exodus 25:10–22) from the home of Abinadab to Jerusalem and to make the journey a celebration (2 Samuel 6:1–2; 1 Chronicles 13:1–6). By housing the ark, Jerusalem will become not only Israel's political capital but also its spiritual center. Because the ark represents God's presence and power, David may believe that keeping it in Jerusalem will bring the city added protection and blessing from the Lord.To safeguard the ark from ritual uncleanness, David orders a new cart built from unused wood. They place the ark on the cart, and Abinadab's sons, Uzzah and Ahio, have the honor and responsibility of driving it. Scholars suggest that Uzzah and Ahio may be brothers of Eleazar, the priest first consecrated to care for the ark in Kiriath-jearim (1 Samuel 7:1–2).
However, David's precautions fall short of God's commands. He treats the ark no differently than the Philistines did when they sent it back to Israel, also on a new cart pulled by milk cows (1 Samuel 6:10–12). Yet God had given Israel clear instructions: only the Levites may carry the ark, and they must use the poles set into the gold rings attached to it (Deuteronomy 10:8).
This Abinadab (1 Samuel 7:1) is not Saul's son (1 Samuel 31:2) nor David's brother (1 Samuel 16:8). The name "Ahio" may mean "brother."
