ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Samuel 6

2 Sam 6:1–23 Jerusalem would not only be the political capital of a united Israel. It would be the religious center as well.

2 Sam 6:1–2 Baale-judah was called Kiriath-jearim in earlier times (1 Sam. 7:1). the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. See note on 1 Sam. 4:3–4.

2 Sam 6:3–4 They carried the ark on a new cart. Presumably this refers to a ritually clean cart. But God had commanded that the ark be carried by Levites, using poles placed through rings on the sides of the ark (see Ex. 25:14–15; Num. 4:15; 7:8–9; Deut. 31:9).

2 Sam 6:5 Before the Lord, as in Ex. 28:29, means that the Lord himself was present above the ark (see note on 1 Sam. 4:3–4). Both 2 Sam. 6:5–15 and 1 Sam. 4:1–7:2 show that the ark was not just a symbol of God’s presence. Wherever the ark was, God manifested his presence in a special way, so the ark should not be treated lightly. with songs . . . cymbals. Music is part of worship in most societies, and it was an important part of Israelite worship. lyres and harps and tambourines. The lyre was basically a sound box with arms in a U-shape supporting a bar across the top. The lyre seems to have been considered the premier instrument. The harp was similar to today’s concert harp. The tambourine was similar to the modern tambourine, but without the small cymbals. The Hebrew word translated castanets appears only here in the Bible.

2 Sam 6:6–11 and God struck him down (v. 7). Touching the ark was a direct violation of God’s law (Num. 4:15). Even though Uzzah touched the ark to prevent it from falling, he and those with him were wrong to transport it on a cart rather than having the Levites carry it on poles (see note on 2 Sam. 6:3–4). afraid of the Lord. This incident was a dramatic reminder to David of God’s holiness and of the necessity of approaching God only according to his revealed instruction.

2 Sam 6:12–15 those who bore the ark. This time the ark is carried properly (v. 13; 1 Chron. 15:12–15). The text may indicate that only one sacrifice was offered at the beginning of the journey, when they had gone six steps. But some interpreters think it means that David sacrificed every six steps. he sacrificed. Here and in 2 Sam. 6:17 it is doubtful that David himself killed all the animals, but it was done at his direction. David’s ephod was the simple linen robe worn by priests (see 1 Sam. 2:18). The ram’s horn was an instrument used especially for signaling.

2 Sam 6:14 David danced before the Lord. The term for “dancing” in vv. 14 and 16 does not appear elsewhere in Scripture. It seems to describe a whirling dance. Dancing expresses joy (compare Ex. 15:20–21; Ps. 30:11) and can be a part of jubilant worship (see Ps. 149:3; 150:4).

2 Sam 6:16–19 Michal . . . despised him in her heart. Michal is identified not as David’s wife but as the daughter of Saul. She shares Saul’s lack of spiritual understanding. She should have been rejoicing with David. The tent corresponds to the tabernacle of Exodus 26.

2 Sam 6:20–23 Michal’s sarcastic comment, “How the king of Israel honored himself today,” suggests she felt he should have worn his royal robes. Michal’s remark about David uncovering himself seems to be an expression of Michal’s contempt for David rather than a statement of fact. had no child. The text does not say what caused Michal’s childlessness. It could have been God’s judgment of Michal for her contempt toward David, or the natural result of the rift between Michal and David.