2 Samuel 6:9
ESV
And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?"
NIV
David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, "How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?"
NASB
So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, 'How can the ark of the Lord come to me?'
CSB
David feared the Lord that day and said, "How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?"
NLT
David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, 'How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?'
KJV
And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?
NKJV
David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”
What does 2 Samuel 6:9 mean?
David's desire is good: bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and invite God's presence into the capital. He consulted elders, military leaders, and God, and all agreed to the plan (1 Chronicles 13:1–4). David even commissions music and songs for the journey (2 Samuel 6:5).What he didn't do was consult the Mosaic law. The Law specifically states that the ark may only be moved by Levites holding on to the wooden poles integrated into the design (Deuteronomy 10:8). Instead, David put the ark on an ox cart. The oxen stumbled, the cart jostled, a man named Uzzah put his hand on the ark, and God struck him dead.
David's anger at God's judgment turns to fear of being near the ark himself. He may have wanted God's power in Jerusalem for protection, but people often forget they cannot wield God's power without submitting to His will.
Realizing he is not ready to host the ark, David leaves it at the home of Obed-edom. Later, Solomon will write, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). In David's fear, he realizes he needs more wisdom before God's ark enters his city.
The ark stays with Obed-edom for three months, and God blesses him and his household. When David hears, he covets that blessing. This time, the celebration is even grander, priests offer sacrifices every six steps, and David dances with joy. Most importantly, Levites carry the ark according to the instructions in the Mosaic law (2 Samuel 6:12–15).
