2 Samuel 6 15

2 Samuel 6:15 kjv

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

2 Samuel 6:15 nkjv

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.

2 Samuel 6:15 niv

while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

2 Samuel 6:15 esv

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

2 Samuel 6:15 nlt

So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams' horns.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 15 Meaning

This verse describes the joyous and unified procession of David and the entire Israelite nation as they successfully bring the Ark of the Lord into Jerusalem. The scene is marked by overwhelming enthusiasm, expressed through loud acclamations and the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn), signifying deep reverence and celebration of God's presence among His people.

2 Samuel 6 15 Context

This verse is part of the narrative detailing King David's effort to bring the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's active presence and covenant, to Jerusalem. Chapter 6 describes two attempts. The first attempt, earlier in the chapter (2 Sam 6:6-7), resulted in Uzzah's death because the Ark was carried improperly, showing Israel's disrespect for God's holiness and specific instructions (Num 4:15; 1 Ch 15:2). After the Ark stayed three months in the house of Obed-Edom, blessing his household, David recognized the need for proper protocol. Verse 15 marks the successful completion of the second, corrected, attempt to move the Ark, now carried reverently by the Levites as prescribed. This momentous occasion consolidates Jerusalem's role as both the political and spiritual capital of Israel, as God's presence now officially dwells there, paving the way for the eventual construction of the temple.

2 Samuel 6 15 Word analysis

• David (דָּוִיד - Dawiyḏ): The chosen king of Israel. His presence highlights his role not only as a political leader but also as the nation's spiritual leader, actively involved in worship. His enthusiastic participation contrasts with his initial misjudgment in the first attempt to move the Ark.
• all the house of Israel (כָּל־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל - kol beit Yisra'el): Signifies the corporate and national unity in this act of worship. It wasn't merely a king's directive but a communal, nationwide event. This emphasizes the re-establishment of a collective covenant relationship with God.
• brought up (מַעֲלִים - ma'aliym): From the Hiphil participle of the verb עָלָה ('alah), meaning "to cause to ascend" or "to bring up." The emphasis is on an intentional, active, and reverent conveyance, implying careful adherence to divine instructions for handling the sacred Ark. This is a contrast to the less careful method used in the first attempt.
• the ark of the LORD (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה - aron YHWH): The most sacred physical object in Israel, representing God's manifest presence, His covenant, and His throne on earth. It contained the Ten Commandments. Its centrality in the procession signifies God's supremacy and sovereignty over Israel. The term "of the LORD" ("YHWH") underscores its divine ownership and sacredness.
• with shouting (בִּתְרוּעָה - bi-teru'ah): "Teru'ah" refers to a loud, joyful acclamation, often a cry of triumph or exultation. It could be a war cry (Josh 6:20) or a liturgical cry (Psa 27:6), signifying victory, great joy, or recognition of God's majesty. Here, it denotes an unrestrained outpouring of celebratory worship and deep emotion in the presence of God.
• with the sound of the horn (וּבְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר - u-veqol shofar): The "shofar" is a ram's horn, a significant instrument in ancient Israel. Its sound signaled assembly, warned of danger, marked New Moons, or was used in liturgical contexts. The sound of the shofar (Ex 19:16, Zec 9:14) was often associated with God's descent or a major divine event, emphasizing the sacred and momentous nature of the procession.
• David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD: This phrase group underlines the collective effort and the profound theological significance of the event. It’s a restoration, relocating the symbol of God's presence to the capital, making Him central to their national life after periods of neglect. It emphasizes adherence to the specific Levitical procedures after the earlier error.
• with shouting and with the sound of the horn: These two elements describe the celebratory and worshipful atmosphere. They illustrate the complete jubilation and expressive joy that accompanied the Ark’s arrival. It shows that true worship involves both reverence for God's holiness (learned from Uzzah's death) and unbridled, expressive delight in His presence.

2 Samuel 6 15 Bonus section

The scene in 2 Samuel 6:15 portrays not just an act of transportation but an act of triumphant, spiritual re-dedication. The teru'ah (shouting) in this context is reminiscent of sounds accompanying victory and revelation. It reflects Israel's joy in conquering their spiritual neglect and formally welcoming God's powerful presence back into their midst, similar to a victory celebration over an enemy. This event also serves as a type or shadow of the greater coming of God's presence among His people through the person of Jesus Christ, the ultimate dwelling place of God (Jn 1:14), and His subsequent presence with believers through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16). The enthusiastic, physical expressions of worship echo a principle of expressing devotion wholeheartedly to God.

2 Samuel 6 15 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:15 marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signifying the successful, divinely approved, and joyous return of the Ark of the Covenant to the heart of Israel's national life—Jerusalem. Having learned a painful lesson from Uzzah's death regarding the correct handling of holy things, David and the people meticulously followed the prescribed divine protocol (1 Ch 15:2, 13). The exuberant "shouting" and "sound of the horn" are not mere noise, but a purposeful expression of profound joy, national thanksgiving, and reverent awe for God's manifest presence. This vivid depiction highlights that genuine worship is not a dry, formalistic exercise, but can be a dynamic, heartfelt, and communal outpouring of devotion, reflecting Israel's delight in God who chose to dwell among them. The re-establishment of the Ark in Jerusalem consolidated David's reign and further established the city as the religious as well as the political center of the nation, laying the groundwork for the future temple.