Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 6

Again, David gathered. —The word “again” should be transposed: “David gathered together again”—referring to the former military musters. In 1 Chronicles 13:1–4, mention is made of the consultations with the leaders of Israel which preceded this gathering, and the gathering itself is there (2 Samuel 6:5) said to be of “all Israel.” But “all Israel” was evidently represented by the thirty thousand (the Septuagint reads seventy thousand) of its more prominent men.

From Baale of Judah. —There is either a textual error here, so that instead of from should be read to, or else the historian is so occupied with his main subject that he omits the mention of the journey to Baale.

In Joshua 15:9 and 1 Chronicles 13:6, Baale is said to be another name for Kirjath-jearim. This was the place to which the ark was carried after its removal from Bethshemesh (1 Samuel 7:2), and it had remained here ever since.

It has been generally identified with Kuryet-el-enab, about eight miles a little north of west from Jerusalem. More recent opinion places it at ‘Erma, about eleven miles a little south of west from Jerusalem, and four miles east of Bethshemesh. In either case it was three or four hours’ march from the capital.

Whose name is called. —Neither the text nor the margin of the English represents the original quite accurately. Translate, which is called by the name, the name of Jehovah of hosts. The ark is thus described as being the visible symbol of God’s presence and of His covenant with His people.

Upon a new cart. —The new cart, one which had been used for no other purpose, was undoubtedly intended as a mark of respect (compare 1 Samuel 6:7); yet it was a violation of the law (Numbers 7:9), requiring that the ark should be borne by the Levites. It is not necessary to suppose that David intended to violate the law; but since the ark had been left neglected for more than two generations, the exact requirements concerning it may easily have passed out of mind.

Abinadab that was in Gibeah. —Rather, in the hill, as the same word is translated in 1 Samuel 7:1. Abinadab himself may have been long since dead, and Uzzah and Ahio may have been either his sons, now advanced in life, or his grandsons.

And they brought it. —The text has undoubtedly suffered here through the repetition of a line by the scribes. The whole verse is omitted in the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 13:0, and the first half of it (which is a repetition of 2 Samuel 6:3) in the Septuagint.

Played.—This word means dancing accompanied by music. (See 1 Samuel 18:7; 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:29, and others.)

On all kinds of instruments made of fir wood.—Instead of this strange expression, the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 13:8 has with all their might and with songs. The difference between the two is very slight in the Hebrew, and it is generally thought that the latter is the correct reading. The variation, however, must have been ancient, since the Septuagint combines the two.

Cornets.—This word occurs only here, and is thought from its etymology to mean some kind of metal instrument with bells or rings, which produced its sound on being shaken. The Vulgate translates sistra. Instead of it Chronicles has trumpets.