VI. This chapter contains a condensed narrative of the bringing up of the ark to Jerusalem, of which a much more full account is given in 1 Chronicles 13-16. It was the impulse of David’s piety to desire that the ark might be in _the_ royal city, and the dictate of wise policy that his capital shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN, DAVID GATHERED. — The word “again” should be transposed: “David gathered together again” — referring to the former military musters. In 1 Chronicles 13:1, mention is made of the consultations with the leaders of Israel which preceded this gathering, and the gathering itself is there (2 Samuel... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON A NEW CART. — The _new_ cart, one which had been used for no other purpose, was doubtless intended as a mark of respect (comp. 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 inten... [ Continue Reading ]
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, and the first half of it (which is a repetition of 2 Samuel 6:3) in the LXX.... [ Continue Reading ]
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, &c.) ON ALL MANNER 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 so... [ Continue Reading ]
NACHON’S THRESHINGFLOOR. — This place is entirely unknown. 1 Chronicles 13:9 has “the threshingfloor of Chidon; “but it may be doubted whether the word is a proper name at all. The name, whatever it was, was now superseded by _Perez-uzzah_ (2 Samuel 6:8). The turning aside of the oxen to snatch the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIS ERROR. — The original is hero very obscure: 1 Chronicles 13:10 has “because he put his hand to the ark.” (Comp. 1 Samuel 6:19.) Especial sacredness was by the law attached to the ark, and it was strictly commanded, that when it was to be moved it should be first covered by the priests, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS DISPLEASED. — More exactly, _was angry._ The cause of his vexation was the Divine judgment upon Uzzah; yet it does not follow that he was angry with God, but rather was simply vexed and disturbed at this most untoward interruption of his plans. MADE A BREACH. — Comp. Exodus 19:22, where the sam... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
OBED-EDOM THE GITTITE. — He was a Levite, but whether of the family of Kohath or of Merari is uncertain, since at this time the name appears in both these families (see for Merari, 1 Chronicles 15:17, and for Kohath, 1 Chronicles 26:1; 1 Chronicles 26:4; 1 Chronicles 26:8; 1 Chronicles 26:13). The o... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT AND BROUGHT UP. — The immediate reason for David’s action was the knowledge of the blessings which had come to Obed-edom through the presence of the ark, in contrast to the punishment of Uzzah; yet this implies neither jealousy nor a wish to deprive his subject of a blessing. It had been his or... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT BARE THE ARK. — David no longer presumed to violate the law, but took care that the ark should be _borne_ by the proper persons. In 1 Chronicles 15 a detailed account is given of the sanctification of the priests and Levites for the purpose, and of the musical arrangements. HAD GONE SIX PA... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID DANCED. — The religious dances on occasions of great national blessing were usually performed by women only (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6). The king, by now taking part in them himself, marked his strong sense of the importance of the occasion, and his readiness to do his utmost i... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE DESPISED HIM. — The contrast is here strongly brought out between the spirit of Saul’s house in which Michal had been brought up, and that of David. In Saul’s time the ark had been neglected, and true religion was uncared for. Michal, therefore, who had fallen in love with David as a brave hero,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE. — Not the tabernacle made for it in the wilderness, and which seems to have been now at Gibeon, but a special tent which David, as is immediately added, had prepared for it.... [ Continue Reading ]
PEACE OFFERINGS. — While the “burnt offerings” were dedicatory, the peace offerings were eucharistic, and were also intended here, as in 1 Kings 8:62, to supply the wants of the people by a religious feast of communion with God. HE BLESSED THE PEOPLE. — As Solomon did at the dedication of the templ... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD PIECE OF FLESH. — A peculiar word, used only here and in 1 Chronicles 16:3, but the context shows that it is rightly interpreted in the English. The phrase “a flagon _of wine”_ (used also in 1 Chronicles 16:3; Song of Solomon 2:5; Hosea 3:1) should be translated “a cluster of grapes or raisin... [ Continue Reading ]
RETURNED. — Michal had seen David from the window as he passed by his house on his way with the ark to its tent. Now, having dismissed and blessed the people, he returns to bless those members of his household whom eastern custom had not allowed to take part in the ceremonies, and is met by Michal w... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE WILL I PLAY. — Rather, _have I danced._ (See 2 Samuel 6:5.) BEFORE THE LORD. — David first gives the true and sufficient reason of his conduct — what he had done was before the Lord, in honouring whom no man can be really humbled; and then he turns with a reproof to Michal, which should h... [ Continue Reading ]
BASE IN MINE OWN SIGHT. — The LXX., not understanding this expression, has changed it to “in thine eyes.” But the meaning is, that while Michal had charged him with making himself base in the eyes of the maidservants (who were no fit judges of such matters), he was ready to abase himself in his own... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD NO CHILD. — The severest privation to an Oriental woman. It is quite possible that during Michal’s long separation from David, while he was an outlaw, and she was married to Phaltiel (who was deeply attached to her, 2 Samuel 3:16), they had become somewhat alienated from each other; and when the... [ Continue Reading ]