Chapter 6
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Again, 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 Perezuzzah 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 Obededom the Gittite.
11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, 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 Obededom 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 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 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.
“And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.”
Overview
David brings the ark of God to Jerusalem with great celebration, but when Uzzah touches the ark to steady it on the cart, God strikes him dead. David is angry and afraid, and the ark is left at the house of Obed-edom for three months, where it brings blessing. David then brings the ark to Jerusalem properly, with sacrifices and dancing. Michal despises David's exuberant worship, and David declares he will be even more undignified before the LORD. Michal remains childless.
Key Themes
The Holiness of God's Presence
Uzzah's death is a sobering reminder that God's holiness cannot be treated casually — even good intentions do not override His commands about how to approach Him.
Wholehearted Worship
David's uninhibited dancing before the LORD reveals a heart consumed with joy in God's presence, unbothered by what others think of his worship.
Doing Things God's Way
The contrast between the first attempt (on a cart, like the Philistines) and the second attempt (carried by Levites) teaches that good intentions must be guided by God's prescribed methods.
Study Questions
Why does God strike Uzzah dead for touching the ark (v. 7), and what principle does this establish?
What went wrong with the first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem, and what was corrected in the second attempt?
What does David's dancing 'before the LORD with all his might' (v. 14) teach about the nature of genuine worship?
Why does Michal despise David's worship (v. 16), and what does her judgment cost her (v. 23)?
How does the three months of blessing at Obed-edom's house demonstrate the dual nature of God's presence — dangerous to the irreverent, blessing to the faithful?
Connection to Christ
The ark entering Jerusalem foreshadows Christ's triumphal entry into the same city. As the ark represented God's presence among His people, Christ is Immanuel — 'God with us' (Matthew 1:23). Uzzah's death at the ark reveals that sinful man cannot approach God's holiness without a mediator, pointing to Christ who is the way to the Father. David's exuberant worship anticipates the day when every tongue shall confess Christ as Lord.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 2 Samuel 6. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?