2 Samuel 6 10

2 Samuel 6:10 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 6:10 nkjv

So David would not move the ark of the LORD with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

2 Samuel 6:10 niv

He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

2 Samuel 6:10 esv

So David was not willing to take the ark of the LORD into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

2 Samuel 6:10 nlt

So David decided not to move the Ark of the LORD into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 10 Meaning

David, after the shocking death of Uzzah, feared the awesome holiness of the Lord and consequently abandoned his initial plan to bring the Ark of the Covenant directly into Jerusalem, the city of David. Instead, in an act of caution and concern, he diverted the Ark to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, where it remained for a period, bringing remarkable blessing upon the host's household.

2 Samuel 6 10 Context

This verse occurs immediately after a profound and terrifying event: the death of Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6-8). David, with immense fanfare and good intentions, was attempting to transport the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem on a new cart, emulating the Philistines (1 Sam 6:7). However, when the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark, the Lord struck him down for touching what was forbidden (Num 4:15, 19-20). This severe judgment horrified David (2 Sam 6:9). The initial joy and celebration of bringing the Ark were shattered, replaced by a profound fear and apprehension regarding the Ark's holiness and the terrible consequences of mismanaging it. Consequently, David chose to temporarily divert the Ark from its intended destination to Jerusalem, entrusting it to the care of Obed-edom, pending a re-evaluation of how to properly approach God's most sacred symbol. The chapter then continues by demonstrating that God’s presence brings immense blessing when reverenced correctly, as seen in Obed-edom’s household, spurring David to then rectify his methods for the Ark's final transfer.

2 Samuel 6 10 Word analysis

• So: Implies a direct consequence of the preceding event, Uzzah's death and David's fear (2 Sam 6:9). It signals a change in David's plan.
• David (דָוִד - David): The anointed king of Israel. His actions here demonstrate a moment of fear and repentance, learning proper reverence after an enthusiastic but disobedient start.
• would not remove (לֹא־אָבָה - lo-avah): Lit. "did not consent/willing." This expresses David's strong reluctance or unwillingness rather than an inability. He was filled with dread and awe, rendering him unwilling to bring the Ark into his city improperly.
• the ark of the LORD (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה - aron YHVH): The central symbol of God's presence, covenant, and throne among Israel. Its sanctity and power are paramount, as tragically demonstrated by Uzzah's death. It demanded meticulous adherence to divine instruction.
• unto him: Signifies David's personal intention and desire to have the Ark in his new capital. The reversal shows his fear superseded his desire.
• into the city of David: Jerusalem. David intended to make it the spiritual as well as the political capital, centralizing worship around the Ark there. This delay postponed that crucial unification.
• but: Introduces a contrasting action, a deviation from the original plan.
• carried it aside (וַיַּטּוּהוּ - vayiattu-hu): This verb means to turn, deflect, or set something to the side. It emphasizes a temporary and alternative placement, not the final destination.
• into the house of Obed-edom: A specific private residence, chosen for temporary safe-keeping.
• the Gittite: Refers to Obed-edom's geographical origin, likely from Gath-Rimmon, a Levitical city (Josh 21:24-25, 1 Chr 6:69). This identifies him as a Levite, specifically a Kohathite (1 Chr 26:4-5), who was permitted and tasked with duties pertaining to the Ark. This crucial detail allows the Ark to be with him and for him to receive blessings related to his Levitical service and hospitality.

• "So David would not remove... but David carried it aside...": This phrase-level analysis highlights David's changed disposition. His fear led to a decisive change of plans. It underscores the severity of Uzzah's punishment and God's holiness. David prioritized the Ark's sacredness over his immediate ambition.
• "ark of the LORD... into the city of David" versus "into the house of Obed-edom": This contrast emphasizes the unplanned diversion. The national religious symbol intended for the capital city was unexpectedly lodged in a private home, demonstrating the divine interruption of human plans and God's demand for humble obedience over kingly ambition.

2 Samuel 6 10 Bonus section

The three-month period mentioned in the subsequent verse (2 Sam 6:11), during which the Ark remained with Obed-edom, served as a divine 'incubation' period. During this time, God blessed Obed-edom and his household immensely, transforming David's fear into renewed faith. It allowed David time to reflect on the proper protocol for the Ark, prompting him to consult the Mosaic Law. This demonstrates God's pedagogical patience: He allowed David a season of observation (the blessing on Obed-edom) and study (learning the Levites' role) before reattempting the Ark's transfer with renewed understanding and humble obedience, ultimately leading to successful and worshipful completion (1 Chr 15-16). This episode underscores that divine setbacks can be opportunities for profound spiritual growth and deeper obedience, leading to greater blessing.

2 Samuel 6 10 Commentary

Following the tragic death of Uzzah, 2 Samuel 6:10 marks a pivotal moment of reassessment for King David. His initial, though well-intentioned, enthusiasm for bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem using unauthorized methods was met with divine judgment. Overwhelmed by "dread" and "fear," David realized the perilous holiness of God and understood that approaching Him required not merely zeal but precise obedience. The verse details his immediate pivot: abandoning the direct journey to Jerusalem and instead placing the Ark in the house of Obed-edom. This was not an act of discarding the Ark, but rather a temporary pause, an acknowledgment of his error, and a necessary deferral while he sought proper understanding of God’s commands regarding His sacred presence. This act demonstrates David's emerging reverence and sets the stage for a later, rectified attempt where the Ark is properly handled by the Levites according to the Torah.