2 Samuel 6:2 kjv
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 cherubim.
2 Samuel 6:2 nkjv
And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.
2 Samuel 6:2 niv
He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.
2 Samuel 6:2 esv
And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim.
2 Samuel 6:2 nlt
He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim.
2 Samuel 6 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:22 | "There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat... communicate..." | Ark as place of God's communication |
| Num 10:33 | "...the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them..." | Ark leads Israel, symbolizes divine guidance |
| Josh 3:6 | "...take up the ark of the covenant and pass on..." | Ark leading God's people in conquest |
| 1 Sam 4:3 | "...bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh..." | Israel views Ark as a source of power/protection |
| 1 Sam 7:1-2 | "And the men of Kirjath-jearim came and took up the ark...for twenty years..." | Ark's long residence in Kirjath-jearim |
| 1 Chron 13:5 | "So David assembled all Israel from Shihor...to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim." | Parallel account of David's initiative |
| Num 4:15 | "...sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, but they must not touch..." | Divine command for proper handling of sacred objects |
| Lev 16:2 | "...he may not come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat..." | Strict boundaries for approaching God's presence |
| Exod 40:34-35 | "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." | God's presence filling His dwelling |
| 1 Kgs 8:10-11 | "...the glory of the LORD filled the house." | God's glory filling the Temple upon Ark's arrival |
| Ps 80:1 | "Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who are enthroned upon the cherubim!" | God's throne above the cherubim, divine power |
| Ps 99:1 | "The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim..." | God's reign and dwelling above the cherubim |
| Isa 6:3 | "...Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" | Revelation of "Lord of Hosts," God's majesty |
| Ps 24:10 | "Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!" | "Lord of Hosts" as King of Glory, omnipotence |
| Zech 4:14 | "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." | "Lord of Hosts" emphasizing universal dominion |
| Exod 37:7-9 | "He made two cherubim of gold; of hammered work he made them..." | Construction details of Ark's cherubim |
| Gen 3:24 | "...cherubim...to guard the way to the tree of life." | Cherubim as guardians of holiness |
| Ezek 1:4-28 | "...likeness of four living creatures...likeness of a throne...above the heads..." | Cherubim as divine throne bearers and guardians |
| Ps 78:60-61 | "He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh...delivered his power and his glory..." | God's rejection of Shiloh and Ark's capture |
| 2 Sam 5:9-10 | "And David lived in the stronghold...David became greater and greater..." | Context of David establishing his rule in Jerusalem |
| 1 Chron 15:2 | "Then David said, 'No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites...' " | David's later recognition of proper procedure |
2 Samuel 6 verses
2 Samuel 6 2 Meaning
Second Samuel 6:2 describes King David's pivotal initiative to retrieve the Ark of God from Baale-judah (Kirjath-jearim), where it had resided for two decades. This action signified David's earnest desire to bring the tangible symbol of God's presence, the Ark of the Covenant, into his new capital, Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes the Ark's profound sanctity by identifying it with the very Name of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned above the cherubim, highlighting God's sovereign power and immanent presence among His people. David aimed to establish Jerusalem as not only the political but also the spiritual heart of the nation.
2 Samuel 6 2 Context
Following his establishment as king over all Israel and the conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sam 5), David’s immediate focus shifts to consolidating the spiritual heart of the nation. For decades, the Ark of the Covenant, God’s most sacred dwelling place among His people, had been outside a proper central sanctuary, residing in Kirjath-jearim after its capture and return by the Philistines (1 Sam 7:1-2). This historical and spiritual anomaly left a void in Israel's national identity and worship. David's resolve in 2 Samuel 6:2 signifies a critical move to unite the political and religious spheres of Israel, demonstrating his zeal for the Lord and his understanding of the importance of God’s presence within the kingdom. It is a moment of grand national aspiration and royal piety, preceding the tragic incident with Uzzah that highlights the sanctity of the Ark and the precision required in approaching God.
2 Samuel 6 2 Word analysis
- And David arose: Denotes initiative and a purposeful commencement of a significant action by the newly established king. This wasn't a passive decision but a kingly act of zeal and leadership.
- and went: Indicates progression and movement, a physical journey undertaken for a specific purpose.
- with all the people who were with him: Emphasizes the public and communal nature of this undertaking. It wasn't a private venture but involved a large gathering, signaling national participation and endorsement for bringing God's presence to the capital. This reflects 1 Chron 13:5, which explicitly states "all Israel."
- from Baale-judah: Identifies the specific location from which the Ark was retrieved. This place is also known as Kirjath-jearim (meaning "city of forests"), located in the tribal territory of Judah. It literally means "masters of Judah," hinting at its local prominence before Jerusalem's ascent. The historical detail grounds the narrative.
- to bring up: The Hebrew verb la'alot (לַעֲל֤וֹת) means "to go up" or "to ascend." This implies both a literal uphill journey (as Kirjath-jearim was on higher ground than Jerusalem) and a figurative elevation of the Ark and its spiritual significance by bringing it into the capital. It also carries the connotation of a "bringing up" or presenting an offering, though not explicit here.
- the ark of God: Hebrew 'Aron Elohim (אֲר֖וֹן הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים). This sacred chest was the tangible symbol of God's covenant with Israel and His manifest presence among them. Its mention immediately alerts the reader to its immense spiritual weight and divine ownership. It represents the very locus of God's dwelling and interaction with His people.
- which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts: This elaborate descriptive phrase elevates the Ark beyond a mere religious artifact. "Called by the name" implies that God’s essence and character are intimately associated with and manifest in the Ark, rendering it supremely holy. It underscores the divine ownership and sacredness.
- Lord of hosts: Hebrew YHWH Sebaot (יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת). This powerful divine title means "Lord of armies" or "Lord of heavenly hosts." It emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty, power, and authority over all creation—both heavenly beings and earthly forces. This title typically appears in contexts where God's power is revealed in mighty acts or when His majesty is declared.
- who sits enthroned on the cherubim: Hebrew yoshev ha-kerubim (יֹשֵׁ֥ב הַכְּרֻבִֽים). This specific description directly connects God’s dwelling presence to the Ark. The cherubim were angelic figures whose sculpted images adorned the mercy seat atop the Ark, serving as a symbolic throne for the invisible God. This phrase highlights God's immanence – His being present with His people – while also underscoring His transcendent majesty and the ineffable holiness surrounding His throne. The cherubim guard the sacred space and serve as His celestial chariots or throne-bearers (e.g., Ps 18:10, Ezek 10).
2 Samuel 6 2 Bonus section
- The phrasing "called by the Name" (lit., "upon which the Name is called") is a direct invocation of God's unique covenantal Name, YHWH, reinforcing the idea that the Ark was not merely a symbol but truly embodied His presence and authority.
- The title "Lord of hosts" often appears in prophetic literature and is particularly significant in depicting God's unmatched power and majesty, especially in military or cosmic contexts. Its application to the Ark here highlights its role as the presence of a powerful, warrior God.
- The mention of God "enthroned on the cherubim" reinforces the concept of the Ark as the earthly manifestation of God's heavenly throne, linking the visible (the Ark) with the invisible (God's glorious dwelling).
- While David’s zeal was great, this verse implicitly sets the stage for a lesson in divine instruction: proper worship requires obedience to God's established ways, not merely human enthusiasm or good intentions (cf. 1 Chron 15:13).
2 Samuel 6 2 Commentary
2 Samuel 6:2 opens a dramatic sequence highlighting the profound sanctity of God’s presence and the vital necessity of approaching Him on His terms. David's intentions were pure—he desired to center the worship of Yahweh in his new capital. His earnestness is evident in "all the people" gathered, signaling national consensus and joyous anticipation. However, the precise and reverent language describing the Ark—"the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim"—serves as an ominous foreshadowing. This comprehensive divine appellation emphasizes God's sovereign power and His intense holiness, which is inseparable from His dwelling place. While David’s zeal was commendable, his methods, as the subsequent verses reveal, did not yet align with the specific divine instructions regarding the Ark's transport. This narrative reminds us that while God desires our worship and presence, it must be offered in spirit and truth, according to His revealed will, honoring His profound holiness.