2 Samuel 6

The ark brought to Jerusalem 
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.1 ¶ Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
.2  And 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.
 3  And 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.
 4  And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
.5  And 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.
  1 - David gathered The assembly of important men and the special activities made the moving of the ark a significant event. Compare the longer introduction in 1 Chron. 1ch1301, 5-14.
  2 - Baale of Judah Also known as Kirjath-jearim. Jos1509, 1ch1306. See Jerusalem south area map. The town is west of Jerusalem.
.6 ¶ And 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.
 7  And 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.
 8  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.
 9  And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
.10  So 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.
.11  And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
  6 - Uzzah Was God dealing too harshly with this man? The Lord, who knows the heart, is always fair although we may not understand. Not even the Levites appointed to carry it were to touch it. (They carried it by poles that passed through rings on its sides.) nu0415ff. Common people were not to see it nu0405, ex3320. Uzzah's sin was one of presumption. To ignore the act the Lord would have taught that His word was unimportant — that His holiness was undependable. Others would have have followed in irreverent disrespect. Compare le10.
  8 - David was displeased This feeling was against God and obviously wrong. He believed that the sentence was too harsh. He was comparing with his own character weakness.
  10 - Obed-edom See on 1ch1518,21, 1ch26:4ff. 1ch2605.
.12 ¶ And 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.
.13  And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
 14  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
  12 - Blessed the house Sounds like incentive for David to move the ark. Bethlehem, the "city of David" is a southern area of Jerusalem. It was proper that the ark be moved closer as the seat of government recognized its importance. Later Solomon had it taken to the new temple.
  14 - Linen ephod This is the garment of humility. David did not wear his royal attire.
.15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
 16  And 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.
.17  And 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.
 18  And 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.
  16 -  Michael ... despised  "All the tribes had been represented in this service, the celebration of the most sacred event that had yet marked the reign of David. The Spirit of divine inspiration had rested upon the king, and now as the last beams of the setting sun bathed the tabernacle in a hallowed light, his heart was uplifted in gratitude to God that the blessed symbol of His presence was now so near the throne of Israel. Thus musing, David turned toward his palace 'to bless his household.' But there was one who had witnessed the scene of rejoicing with a spirit widely different from that which moved the heart of David. '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.' In the bitterness of her passion she could not await David's return to the palace, but went out to meet him, and to his kindly greeting poured forth a torrent of bitter words. Keen and cutting was the irony of her speech:'" (Ellen White, Patriarchs & Prophets p. 708.)
.19  And 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.   19 - Flagon of wine The word ashishah literally means "a cake" Although it could have been wine made from raisins which, with water, could be made into grape juice. The term is probably best translated as "raisin cakes." See on so0205.
.20 ¶ Then 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!
 21  And 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.
 22  And 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.
 23  Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
  20 - Uncovered Removed his royal clothing (he was not naked).
  20 - In the eyes of the handmaids of his servants Michael was jealous and pictured David as bowing to the lowest women while neglecting her. 
  22 - More vile He would be more humble.
  23 - No child It was not a happy marriage. We would not excuse all of David's attitude either. Here is a lesson in preserving marriages. He could have reasoned with her kindly. His remark about being better than her father did not help a bit. She already knew this.
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