Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Samuel 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Samuel 6
"And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand." — 2 Samuel 6:1 (ASV)
Again - This refers to the full phrase, and David again gathered...; that is, after the previous gathering for either his election to the kingdom (2 Samuel 5:1–3) or the Philistine war (2 Samuel 5:17–25), he assembled them again for the peaceful purpose of bringing the ark to Mount Zion. The whole narrative indicates the progressive consolidation of David’s power and the settlement of his monarchy on strong foundations.
"And 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." — 2 Samuel 6:2 (ASV)
From Baale of Judah - See the margin and 1 Samuel 6:21 note.
Whose name ... - The literal rendering is, which is called by the Name, the Name of Yahweh of Hosts, who sits upon the cherubim, that is, the ark which is called after the Lord of Hosts and bears His Name (1 Kings 8:43; Isaiah 4:1).
"And 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." — 2 Samuel 6:3 (ASV)
The house of Abinadab in Gibeah—rather, on the hill (as in the margin and 1 Samuel 7:1). It does not at all follow that Abinadab was still alive, nor can we conclude from Uzzah and Ahio being called sons of Abinadab that they were literally his children. They may well have been sons of Eleazar and grandsons of Abinadab, or even more remote descendants, since there is no distinct evidence that Abinadab was alive when the ark was brought to Kiriath-jearim. The house may have retained the name of “the house of Abinadab” long after his death.
"And 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." — 2 Samuel 6:5 (ASV)
Played – That is, to dance to vocal and instrumental music (see the note on Judges 16:25).
Cornets – Instead, based on the etymology of the Hebrew word (meaning “to shake”), their pairing with cymbals, and their translation as “sistra” in the Vulgate, this term likely refers to an instrument with bells or rings that produced a sound when shaken.
"And 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." — 2 Samuel 6:6 (ASV)
Shook it - The use of the Hebrew word here is unusual. Some interpret the word as it is used in 2 Kings 9:33, and render the passage: “The oxen were throwing, or had thrown it down,” very likely by turning aside to eat what grain there might be on the threshing-floor.
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