2 Samuel 6:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.

NIV: Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

NASB: Then David became angry because of the Lord’S outburst against Uzzah; and that place has been called Perez-uzzah to this day.

CSB: David was angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place Outburst Against Uzzah, as it is today.

NLT: David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means 'to burst out against Uzzah'), as it is still called today.

KJV: And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

NKJV: And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.

David has established his capital in Jerusalem and now wants the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–22) to join him. When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they set up the tabernacle in Shiloh and put the ark in the innermost room (Joshua 18:1). Since then, the ark has been captured, returned, moved, and taken into battle (1 Samuel 4:11; 6:1–21; 14:18). The tabernacle and the altar are in Gibeon, but David wants ark near him.

Unfortunately, David doesn't transport it correctly. Only Levites are authorized to move it, and only by hand, carrying it by long poles (Deuteronomy 10:8). David puts it in an ox cart. When the cart jostles, Uzzah puts a hand on the ark to stop it from falling and God kills him immediately (2 Samuel 6:1–7).

David reacts first with anger, then with fear (2 Samuel 6:9). His anger is understandable: a good man has died doing what seemed right. David may also wonder why God "broke out" in judgment during a celebration meant to honor Him, with thousands singing and making music before the ark (1 Chronicles 13:5; 2 Samuel 6:5).

The problem isn't the size of David's worship but his disregard for God's commands. God's people often think He values grand displays of devotion more than simple obedience. That is never the case (1 Samuel 15:22). David names the place "Perez-uzzah," meaning "breaking out against Uzzah." Whether he intended to honor Uzzah or not, the name reminds everyone that God prizes obedience over both sacrifice and celebration (1 Samuel 15:22).

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.