Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 6:9

"And David was afraid of Jehovah that day; and he said, How shall the ark of Jehovah come unto me?" — 2 Samuel 6:9 (ASV)

David was afraid. —The immediate effect of the judgment was to produce in David, and doubtless in all the people, that awe of the majesty of God in which they had shown themselves deficient. If this was at first excessive, it was soon moderated.