2 Samuel 6 3

2 Samuel 6:3 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 6:3 nkjv

So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

2 Samuel 6:3 niv

They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart

2 Samuel 6:3 esv

And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart,

2 Samuel 6:3 nlt

They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were guiding the cart

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 3 Meaning

2 Samuel 6:3 describes King David's initial attempt to transport the Ark of God from the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem. The verse details the chosen method: placing the sacred Ark upon a new cart. It also identifies the individuals responsible for driving this cart, Uzzah and Ahio, who were sons of Abinadab. This action marks a significant moment in Israelite history, aiming to bring God's symbolic presence back into the central life of the nation, albeit with a method contrary to divine instruction.

2 Samuel 6 3 Context

Following Saul's reign, David establishes his kingdom in Jerusalem. A key ambition of his reign was to bring the Ark of God, the central symbol of God's covenant presence among His people, into Jerusalem. For twenty years prior to this event, since its return from Philistine captivity (1 Sam 7:1-2), the Ark had resided in the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-Jearim, on "the hill." David, eager to centralize Israel's worship, gathered 30,000 chosen men for this momentous occasion. The verse describes the initial, albeit misguided, method chosen for this sacred transport. While enthusiastic and well-intentioned, David and his men overlooked the specific instructions regarding the Ark's handling detailed in the Mosaic Law. This initial attempt parallels the previous incident where the Ark was transported on a cart by the Philistines (1 Sam 6), who were unaware of Israelite law, but starkly contrasts with the specific divine commands given to Israel.

2 Samuel 6 3 Word analysis

• And they carried (wayyiśśe'û): The verb signifies lifting and conveying. The "they" here refers to King David and the thirty thousand chosen men gathered, indicating a collective decision and action, yet it highlights the communal responsibility for the method employed.
• the ark of God (’ărôn hā’ĕlōhîm): This refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne, His presence, and His covenant with His people. It was constructed according to precise divine specifications (Ex 25:10-22). The phrase emphasizes the divine nature of the object being handled.
• in a new (ḥādāšāh) cart (‘ăgālāh):
  • 'ăgālāh: A wagon or cart, typically pulled by oxen, used for transport of goods or persons. Its use for the Ark was specifically forbidden by Mosaic Law for the Israelites, who were commanded to carry it on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites using poles (Num 4:15).
  • ḥādāšāh: Means "new, fresh." This highlights that the cart was specifically constructed or prepared for this event, implying care and effort. However, this "newness" also contrasts with the ancient and established divine commands, revealing a novel approach taken in place of an obedient one. It implicitly reflects the method used by the Philistines in 1 Sam 6, indicating an imitation of foreign, rather than divine, protocol.
• and brought it out of the house (bayit) of Abinadab (’ăbîndāb):
  • bayit: "House, dwelling." It refers to the physical structure where the Ark had resided for twenty years (1 Sam 7:1).
  • Abinadab: A Levi, though not a Kohathite. His household had taken custody of the Ark upon its return from the Philistines. The prolonged, presumably peaceful, custody may have contributed to a sense of familiarity, leading to a deviation from prescribed sacred protocol.
• that was in Gibeah (gib‘â): Kiriath-Jearim is where the Ark resided (1 Sam 7:1), a town frequently associated with "the hill" or "Gibeah." This phrase likely identifies the house of Abinadab more specifically by its location on a prominent hill or a local landmark near Kiriath-Jearim, or referring to the region where it was situated.
• and Uzzah (‘uzzāh) and Ahio (’aḥyô), the sons (bĕnê) of Abinadab (’ăbîndāb), drave (nāhagû) the new cart:
  • Uzzah and Ahio: Identified as Abinadab's sons, they were directly responsible for guiding the cart. Their proximity and long-standing association with the Ark likely fostered a perception of special privilege or inherent right to handle it, yet it also meant a greater accountability to God's law.
  • drave: Indicates their active role in guiding and propelling the cart. They were in direct charge of the improper mode of transportation.
• Words-group: "carried the ark of God in a new cart": This entire phrase encapsulates the primary act of disobedience. Despite their noble intention to honor God and bring His presence to the capital, David and his assembly chose a method of transport that disregarded the divine laws given concerning the Ark. This demonstrates a tension between genuine zeal and a lack of diligent adherence to God's precise commands, especially concerning His holy things.

2 Samuel 6 3 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent choice of a "new cart" for the Ark, made with probable good intentions and effort, illustrates a profound theological point: God's holiness demands adherence to His specific instructions, not merely human zeal or innovation. While the Philistines, who did not have the Law, used a cart to return the Ark and were not judged for it (1 Sam 6:7-12), Israel, having received God's direct commandments, was held to a higher standard of obedience. This highlights the concept that with greater revelation comes greater responsibility. The "new" method, though perhaps efficient by human standards, was old in the sense of pagan practices of moving idols. David's choice reflected a common ancient Near Eastern practice for transporting deity images, which was implicitly a polemic against foreign practices. The subsequent divine judgment on Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6-7) served as a stark, immediate, and terrifying lesson to David and all Israel regarding the sacredness of God and the absolute necessity of approaching Him on His own terms, not on terms that seem good or practical to man. This moment forced David to re-evaluate and ultimately conform to God's detailed instructions for handling holy things, paving the way for a reverent and obedient relationship with God's presence.

2 Samuel 6 3 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:3 sets the stage for a tragic event, primarily due to human error born from well-intentioned but ill-informed zeal. David's desire to bring the Ark to Jerusalem was righteous, aiming to centralize worship and signify God's dwelling among His people. However, the critical flaw was the adoption of a "new cart" for transport, mimicking the Philistine method (1 Sam 6) rather than adhering to God's explicit commands for the Kohathite Levites to carry the Ark on their shoulders by poles (Num 4:15; Ex 25:12-15). This deviation indicates either ignorance of the law, a presumption that the successful Philistine precedent superseded the specific Israelite law, or perhaps a preference for convenience over obedience. Uzzah and Ahio, being sons of Abinadab, had lived with the Ark for twenty years, fostering a familiarity that might have inadvertently dulled their reverence for its absolute holiness and the strict protocol surrounding it. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that God is holy and His commands regarding worship and sacred matters are not arbitrary suggestions but divine decrees to be followed with precision, reverence, and understanding. Even good intentions do not justify violating God's prescribed methods, especially when it concerns His presence and glory.