2 Samuel 6:3 - Printer Friendly

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.

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."

Second Samuel 6:1–4 describes the initial leg of the ark of the covenant's move to Jerusalem. David first received approval and guidance from God and the people (1 Chronicles 13:1–4). But they apparently didn't check the Mosaic law. A cart pulled by oxen carries the ark, not the Levites. When the oxen stumble, Uzzah puts his hand toward the ark, and God strikes him dead. It will be another three months before they continue the trip (2 Samuel 6:5–15). First Chronicles 13:5–8 also records Uzzah's death.

In 2 Samuel 6, David decides to bring the ark of God (Exodus 25:10–22) to Jerusalem. This includes an enormous crowd and a great procession. Unfortunately, he doesn't follow the Mosaic law, and a man dies for inappropriately touching the ark. David leaves the ark at a house for three months before trying again. Moving the symbol of God's presence into the nation's capital delights everyone except David's first wife, Michal. She is disgusted by David's undignified enthusiasm. The same events are noted in 1 Chronicles 13 and 15.

David has established himself as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5). In 2 Samuel 6, the ark of the covenant reaches Jerusalem. Since its first home in Shiloh, it's been captured by Philistines, sent back home, housed in Kiriath-jearim, carried with the army, and returned to Kiriath-jearim (Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 4, 6; 7:1–2; 14:18). David first puts the ark on a cart, but the cart wobbles and God strikes dead the man who tries to save it. Eventually, Levites carry the ark to Jerusalem properly. Soon, David decides that God deserves a proper temple and asks if he can build one (2 Samuel 7).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.