2 Samuel 6:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

NIV: He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

NASB: And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite.

CSB: So he was not willing to bring the ark of the Lord to the city of David; instead, he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.

NLT: So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.

KJV: So 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 Obededom the Gittite.

NKJV: So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

God's authority has always been a priority for David. It kept him from killing King Saul during his murderous rampages (1 Samuel 18:10–11). It seems it also kept him from forcing the northern and eastern tribes to follow him when he was king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). He even avenged Ish-bosheth, Saul's son and the king of Israel, when he was murdered (2 Samuel 4).

Now that David is king of the united nation and has established his capital in Jerusalem, he still wants God near, so he decides to move the ark of the covenant into his city. Unfortunately, his devotion to God's word slips. David either didn't know or didn't pay attention to God's commands about how to transport the ark (Exodus 25:12–15; Deuteronomy 10:8). His desire to bring the ark to Jerusalem is good, and his worship is sincere (2 Samuel 6:5), but he doesn't obey the Lord with the same energy.

Because of this, a good man is dead. David is first angry with God, then fearful (2 Samuel 6:6–9). Recognizing he isn't prepared to host God's presence, David sends the ark to the nearby home of Obed-edom.

For three months, God blesses Obed-edom. When David hears, he repents, returns to the ark, and has it carried properly (2 Samuel 6:11–15).

Obed-edom is a Gittite—possibly from the Philistine city of Gath—or his name may mean he owns vineyards. Some scholars suggest he may be part of a Philistine guard serving David (2 Samuel 15:18).

In 2 Samuel 6:5–11, God judges and blesses. David has called a procession to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. When the ox cart that carries it wobbles, Uzzah reaches out to steady it, and God strikes him dead for profaning the sacred object. Angry and fearful, David leaves the ark at the home of Obed-edom. When David hears God has been blessing Obed-edom, David recalls the procession, the Levites hand-carry the ark as they should, and the religious and political capitals of Israel are closer to aligning (2 Samuel 6:12–15). This information is also found in 1 Chronicles 13:5–14.

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.