2 Samuel 6 4

2 Samuel 6:4 kjv

And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

2 Samuel 6:4 nkjv

And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark.

2 Samuel 6:4 niv

with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it.

2 Samuel 6:4 esv

with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark.

2 Samuel 6:4 nlt

that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 4 Meaning

This verse describes the movement of the Ark of God from the house of Abinadab, where it had resided for many years, as David commenced its journey to Jerusalem. It highlights the continued procession, with the Ark being brought forth from Abinadab’s residence located in Gibeah. Crucially, it notes Ahio, one of Abinadab's sons, walking in front of the Ark, signaling his role in leading this sacred procession. The verse details the immediate actions involved in this significant, yet ultimately flawed, transfer of God’s dwelling place.

2 Samuel 6 4 Context

The verse is part of David’s ambitious initiative to bring the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's active presence and covenant faithfulness, from Kirjath-jearim (also called Gibeah by some or simply a significant "hill" there) to Jerusalem, his newly established capital. For over two decades, the Ark had remained in the house of Abinadab after its return from Philistine captivity (1 Sam 7:1-2), a period during which its proper care and function had been largely neglected. David, wanting to establish Jerusalem as both a political and spiritual center, gathers thirty thousand chosen men of Israel, and with great enthusiasm, proceeds to move the Ark. This verse specifically describes the moment the Ark is physically brought out from Abinadab’s house and placed upon a new cart, setting the scene for the tragic event involving Uzzah that immediately follows. Historically, the use of a cart, while seeming logical and efficient for human purposes, was a direct violation of the divinely ordained method for transporting the Ark, which specified that it be carried by Kohathite Levites using poles inserted into rings, demonstrating deep reverence for its holiness (Exod 25:14-15; Num 4:15).

2 Samuel 6 4 Word analysis

• And they brought it out: The Hebrew word for "brought out" is yotzi'u (וַיֹּצִאוּ), indicating an active process of moving something from an enclosed space. "They" refers to the chosen men assembled by David (2 Sam 6:1), specifically implicating Uzzah and Ahio, who were directly handling the cart. This act represents the initial step in what was intended to be a joyous, God-honoring procession.

• of the house of Abinadab: "House" (bayith, בַּיִת) signifies the dwelling or abode. Abinadab (אֲבִינָדָב, Avinadav), meaning "my father is noble" or "my father is willing," was the name of the man who consecrated his son Eleazar to keep the Ark when it was returned by the Philistines (1 Sam 7:1-2). The Ark resided there for approximately twenty years, suggesting a level of domestic care but also a long period of semi-obscurity and neglect from proper public reverence according to Mosaic law.

• which was in Gibeah: Gibeah (גִּבְעָה, Giv'ah) simply means "hill." In this context, it is often identified with Kirjath-jearim (mentioned in 1 Sam 7:1-2) due to the association with Abinadab's house, or possibly refers to a specific elevated point within Kirjath-jearim. It grounds the narrative in a precise geographical location.

• accompanying the ark of God; "Accompanying" is from the Hebrew particle `im (עִם), here conveying the sense of "with" or "beside," referring to those moving alongside the Ark. The phrase emphasizes the Ark as the central focus of the procession. "Ark of God" (aron Ha'Elohim, אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים) underscores its sacred nature and divine ownership. It was not merely a ceremonial object but a potent symbol of God's holy presence among His people, requiring specific protocol.

• and Ahio went before the ark. Ahio (אָחִיו, Achyo), meaning "his brother," was Uzzah's brother and also a son of Abinadab (2 Sam 6:3). His specific action "went before" (holekh liphnei, הוֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵי) implies leading, guiding, or perhaps clearing the way for the cart. This detail shows that he was an active participant and had a defined role in the procession, further highlighting the human management of a divinely prescribed object, which ultimately led to a tragic outcome. The participation of Abinadab's sons underscores the inheritance of an imperfect system for handling the Ark, as it had been their family’s responsibility for decades without adhering to the precise Levitical codes.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And they brought it out...accompanying the ark of God": This grouping depicts the active, communal effort involved in the initial phase of the Ark's journey. It highlights that many people were engaged, demonstrating enthusiasm and zeal for a good cause (bringing God's presence closer) but hints at the possibility of a lack of adherence to divine methods for handling holy objects, as evidenced by the cart.
  • "of the house of Abinadab, which was in Gibeah": This phrase identifies the starting point, rooting the narrative in a specific, historically known location. It calls to mind the Ark’s twenty-year seclusion and possible spiritual neglect, which might have dulled the awareness of the extreme holiness demanded by God for its handling, affecting even the sons who grew up with it.

2 Samuel 6 4 Bonus section

• The extended period of the Ark's stay at Abinadab's house (about 20 years, 1 Sam 7:2) suggests a spiritual low point in Israel, where proper Levitical care for the Ark had ceased. This likely contributed to the casual attitude towards its transportation later exhibited by David and his men.
• The names of Abinadab's sons, Uzzah (meaning "strength") and Ahio (meaning "his brother"), may hold symbolic weight. "Strength" failed in attempting to stabilize the Ark, while "his brother" led the way into this tragic scenario, perhaps hinting at human reliance and fraternal leadership apart from divine prescription.
• The event involving the cart is a powerful reminder that while zeal and good intentions are valuable, they must always be channeled through God's revealed will. God's holiness demands respect and obedience to His ways, not human innovation or expediency. This forms a clear theological polemic against relying on human wisdom over divine revelation for spiritual matters.

2 Samuel 6 4 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:4 describes a pivotal moment in David's attempt to restore the Ark of the Covenant to its rightful place of honor. While David’s motivation to bring the Ark to Jerusalem was righteous—a desire to centralize Israel's worship and honor God—the methods employed were deeply flawed. The Ark was brought "out of the house of Abinadab" and transported on a "new cart," a practice that mirrored the Philistines’ method of returning the Ark (1 Sam 6:7-11), not God’s clear instruction given to Moses for the Kohathite Levites to carry it on poles (Num 4:15).

Ahio, a son of Abinadab, walking "before the ark" exemplifies the earnest yet misguided devotion. This verse sets the stage for the imminent judgment upon Uzzah, demonstrating that sincere intentions are insufficient when obedience to God's precise commands regarding His holiness is disregarded. The decades of the Ark residing in a private home may have led to a casual familiarity that eroded understanding of its extraordinary sanctity. This entire scenario serves as a profound lesson on the necessity of knowing and obeying God's will exactly, particularly when approaching His holy presence and things designated by Him.