2 Samuel — Chapter 6

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1Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

3And 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.

4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

5And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

6And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

8And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.

9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10So 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 Obed-edom the Gittite.

11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.

12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.

13And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

1And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him, from Baale-judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Jehovah of hosts that sitteth [above] the cherubim.

3And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

5And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of [instruments made of] fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals.

6And when they came to the threshing-floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen stumbled.

7And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

8And David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzzah; and he called that place Perez-uzzah, unto this day.

9And David was afraid of Jehovah that day; and he said, How shall the ark of Jehovah come unto me?

10So David would not remove the ark of Jehovah unto him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

11And the ark of Jehovah remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and Jehovah blessed Obed-edom, and all his house.

12And it was told king David, saying, Jehovah hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. And David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with joy.

13And it was so, that, when they that bare the ark of Jehovah had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.

14And David danced before Jehovah with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.

17And they brought in the ark of Jehovah, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.

18And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of hosts.

19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to every one a cake of bread, and a portion [of flesh], and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21And David said unto Michal, [It was] before Jehovah, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Jehovah, over Israel: therefore will I play before Jehovah.

22And I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight: but of the handmaids of whom thou hast spoken, of them shall I be had in honor.

23And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

1David again assembled all the best men in Israel, 30,000 in number.

2David and all the men who were with him traveled to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who sits enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

3They loaded the ark of God on a new cart and carried it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart.

4They brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on the hill. Ahio was walking in front of the ark,

5while David and all Israel were energetically celebrating before the Lord, singing and playing various stringed instruments, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.

6When they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and grabbed hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.

7The Lord was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him on the spot for his negligence. He died right there beside the ark of God.

8David was angry because the Lord attacked Uzzah; so he called that place Perez Uzzah, which remains its name to this very day.

9David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How will the ark of the Lord ever come to me?”

10So David was no longer willing to bring the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. David left it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

11The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months. The Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his family.

12King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the family of Obed-Edom and everything he owns because of the ark of God.” So David went and joyfully brought the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David.

13Those who carried the ark of the Lord took six steps and then David sacrificed an ox and a fatling calf.

14Now David, wearing a linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the Lord.

15David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord, shouting and blowing trumpets.

16As the ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him.

17They brought the ark of the Lord and put it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before the Lord.

18When David finished offering the burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

19He then handed out to each member of the entire assembly of Israel, both men and women, a portion of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. Then all the people went home.

20When David went home to pronounce a blessing on his own house, Michal, Saul’s daughter, came out to meet him. She said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself this day! He has exposed himself today before his servants’ slave girls the way a vulgar fool might do!”

21David replied to Michal, “It was before the Lord! I was celebrating before the Lord, who chose me over your father and his entire family and appointed me as leader over the Lord’s people Israel.

22I am willing to shame and humiliate myself even more than this. But with the slave girls whom you mentioned, let me be distinguished.”

23Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, had no children to the day of her death.

1David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there God’s ark, which is called by the Name, even the name of Yahweh of Armies who sits above the cherubim.

3They set God’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

4They brought it out of Abinadab’s house, which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark.

5David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals.

6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark, and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled.

7Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzzah; and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.

8David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day.

9David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How could Yahweh’s ark come to me?”

10So David would not move Yahweh’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.

11Yahweh’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.

12King David was told, “Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of God’s ark.” So David went and brought up God’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy.

13When those who bore Yahweh’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

14David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.

15So David and all the house of Israel brought up Yahweh’s ark with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16As Yahweh’s ark came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out through the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.

17They brought in Yahweh’s ark, and set it in its place, in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh.

18When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Armies.

19He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house.

20Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the servants of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

21David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before Yahweh.

22I will be yet more vile than this, and will be worthless in my own sight. But of the servants of whom you have spoken, they will honor me.”

23Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

David brings the Ark to Jerusalem with celebration; Uzzah is struck dead for touching it, teaching David holy fear. David dances before the LORD with all his might as the Ark enters the city, and Michal despises him.

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown, traditionally attributed to Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29). Originally one book with 1 Samuel in the Hebrew Bible. The book covers David's entire reign — from his lament over Saul's death to the purchase of the threshing floor for the future Temple (approximately 1010-970 BC). Key themes: the Davidic covenant (chapter 7), the consequences of sin even for the forgiven (chapters 11-20), God's faithfulness despite human failure, and the establishment of the eternal throne fulfilled in Christ.
Historical Context: Chapter 6 records one of the most dramatic events in David's reign — bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The ark had been at Kiriath-jearim (Baale-judah) for approximately twenty years since its return from Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 7:1-2). David's desire to bring it to his new capital is theologically significant: he wants God's presence at the center of Israel's national life. But the first attempt ends in disaster — Uzzah touches the ark when the oxen stumble, and God strikes him dead. David is angry, then afraid, and abandons the project for three months. The problem was not David's desire but his method: the ark was transported on a cart (the Philistine method — 1 Samuel 6:7) rather than carried on poles by Levites as God commanded (Numbers 4:15, 7:9). Good intentions do not override God's prescribed means. The second attempt succeeds — this time with proper Levitical carrying, sacrifices every six steps, and David dancing "before the LORD with all his might." The chapter ends with Michal's contempt for David's undignified worship and her resulting barrenness — a judgment that ends Saul's line permanently. The theological lesson is clear: God is holy and must be approached on His terms, but when approached rightly, His presence brings overwhelming joy.
The First Attempt (vv.1-11): David gathers 30,000 chosen men — this is a national event, not a private errand. They go to Baale-judah (Kiriath-jearim) where the ark has rested in Abinadab's house since 1 Samuel 7:1. The ark is placed on a "new cart" — the same method the Philistines used to return it (1 Samuel 6:7). This violates God's explicit command that the ark be carried on poles by Kohathite Levites (Numbers 4:15, 7:9). Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, drive the cart. The procession is joyful — David and all Israel celebrate with music and instruments. But at Nachon's threshing floor, the oxen stumble (or "shook it" — KJV). Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark — a natural, instinctive reaction — and God strikes him dead. Why? Because God had explicitly forbidden anyone to touch the ark (Numbers 4:15: "they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die"). Uzzah's death was not arbitrary — it was the consequence of Israel's casual approach to God's holiness. The real failure was systemic: they should never have used a cart. David is first "displeased" (angry at God), then "afraid" — the proper response. He diverts the ark to Obed-edom's house, where it remains three months and brings blessing.
The Second Attempt (vv.12-19): Hearing that God has blessed Obed-edom, David tries again — this time correctly. First Chronicles 15:2, 13-15 fills in the details: David commands that only Levites carry the ark on their shoulders, acknowledging that "the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." After six steps (testing whether God will accept this approach), David sacrifices an ox and a fattened animal. Then David dances "before the LORD with all his might" — wearing a linen ephod (a priestly garment), stripped of his royal robes. This is not performance but abandon — the king of Israel worshiping with total, undignified, self-forgetful joy. The ark enters Jerusalem with shouting and trumpets. David places it in a tent he has prepared, offers burnt offerings and peace offerings, blesses the people in God's name, and distributes food to every person — bread, meat, and raisins (KJV adds "a flagon of wine").
Michal's Contempt (vv.20-23): Michal watches from a window and "despised him in her heart." When David returns to bless his household, she attacks with sarcasm: "How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself... as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!" She sees David's worship as beneath his royal dignity — embarrassing, common, undignified. David's response is sharp: "It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father" — a pointed reminder that God rejected Saul's house and chose David. David will worship God without concern for human opinion: "I will yet be more vile than thus." The chapter's final sentence is devastating: "Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death." Whether this was divine judgment or David's refusal of marital relations, the result is the same: Saul's line through Michal is permanently ended. Those who despise genuine worship of God find themselves barren.

Map & Geography

  • Kiriath-jearim (Baale-judah): Where the ark has rested for 20+ years — in the hills about 9 miles west of Jerusalem
  • The threshing floor of Nachon/Nacon: Where Uzzah dies and David halts the procession — en route to Jerusalem
  • The house of Obed-edom the Gittite: Where the ark stays for three months — likely near Jerusalem

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes that Uzzah's death was not about one man's mistake but about Israel's systemic failure to follow God's prescribed method for transporting the ark. The cart was the Philistine way, not God's way. Good intentions and new carts do not substitute for obedience. Guzik also notes that David's dancing was not entertainment but the overflow of a heart overwhelmed by God's presence.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "David danced before the Lord with all his might. He was not ashamed to be thought a fool for God's sake. Michal despised him, but God honored him. Let us learn that the opinion of the world is nothing compared to the approval of God. Better to dance before the Lord and be despised by the proud than to maintain a cold dignity and miss the joy of His presence. Worship that costs us nothing in terms of self-forgetfulness is worship that gives God nothing."

Videos

The Bible Project — 2 Samuel Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Good intentions do not override God's prescribed means (vv.3-7). David's desire was right — bring God's presence to Jerusalem. But his method was wrong — a cart instead of Levitical shoulders. God cares about how we approach Him, not just that we approach Him. Sincerity without obedience is not enough. We must worship God on His terms, not ours.
  • 2. God's holiness is not negotiable (v.7). Uzzah's death shocks us — it seems disproportionate. But it reveals how seriously God takes His own holiness. We live in an age of casual familiarity with God. This chapter reminds us: God is not our buddy. He is the Holy One of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim. Approach with reverence.
  • 3. Wholehearted worship costs us our dignity (v.14). David danced "with all his might" — the king of Israel, stripped of royal robes, leaping before God like a common man. True worship requires self-forgetfulness. When we are more concerned about how we look than about honoring God, we are worshiping ourselves, not Him.
  • 4. Those who despise genuine worship become barren (vv.20-23). Michal valued royal dignity over divine worship. Her contempt for David's abandon before God resulted in lifelong barrenness. When we criticize others' genuine worship because it offends our sense of propriety, we reveal a heart more concerned with appearances than with God. Such hearts bear no fruit.
  • 5. Failure is not final — try again God's way (vv.12-15). David's first attempt failed catastrophically. He could have given up — left the ark at Obed-edom's house permanently. Instead, he learned from his error, did it God's way the second time, and experienced extraordinary joy. Our failures in approaching God are not permanent disqualifications — they are invitations to learn His ways and try again with proper reverence.