2 Samuel 6 5

2 Samuel 6:5 kjv

And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

2 Samuel 6:5 nkjv

Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.

2 Samuel 6:5 niv

David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.

2 Samuel 6:5 esv

And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

2 Samuel 6:5 nlt

David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments ? lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 5 Meaning

2 Samuel 6:5 describes the jubilant and comprehensive celebration led by King David and the entire house of Israel as they attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's very presence, into Jerusalem. This verse specifically highlights the widespread use of various musical instruments, signifying a worshipful, joyous, and unified outpouring before the Lord, marking the profound importance of God's dwelling among His people.

2 Samuel 6 5 Context

2 Samuel chapter 6 narrates David's ambitious, albeit initially flawed, attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant, Israel's holiest artifact and symbol of God's presence, from Abinadab's house in Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. This move was not merely a logistical relocation but a theological and political statement by David to consolidate Jerusalem as the nation's spiritual capital, aligning with its emerging status as the political capital. Prior to this, the Ark had been away from a central sanctuary for decades since its capture by the Philistines. Verse 5 sets the scene for the first phase of this momentous journey, emphasizing the widespread popular enthusiasm and celebratory spirit accompanying such a significant event, showcasing David's desire to place God at the very heart of his newly united kingdom. However, the joyful procession in this verse soon takes a tragic turn with Uzzah's death, highlighting the importance of handling sacred things according to divine instruction (Num 4:15, 7:9) and setting a solemn tone for David's later, more cautious attempt to move the Ark.

2 Samuel 6 5 Word analysis

• And David and all the house of Israel
  • David: The king's direct involvement underscores his spiritual leadership and personal devotion. He actively participates in the worship, demonstrating leadership beyond mere political governance (Ps 78:70-72). This highlights the unity of political and religious authority in ancient Israel.
  • all the house of Israel: Signifies national unity and corporate participation in worship. This was not a private act but a collective national rejoicing, emphasizing communal reverence and covenant loyalty (Exod 19:8). It reflects the desire for national revival centered on God's presence.
• were celebrating before the LORD
  • celebrating (Hebrew: שָׂחַק, śāḥaq): Implies joyous, often boisterous activity, possibly including playing, dancing, or merriment. It signifies unrestrained enthusiasm and profound gladness (Gen 21:6, Ps 2:4). In this context, it is a spiritual joy and exultation.
  • before the LORD (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, liphne YHWH): Explicitly defines the object and audience of their celebration. It means "in the presence of Yahweh," acknowledging His immanence and the sacred nature of the Ark as His dwelling place. It indicates an act of worship directed solely to God. This phrase emphasizes accountability and holiness (Lev 9:5, Deut 12:7).
• with all kinds of wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.
  • This phrase illustrates the rich and varied soundscape of Israelite worship, signifying a full-hearted and unreserved offering of praise.
  • all kinds of wood instruments (Hebrew: כֹּל כְּלֵי עֲצֵי בְרוֹשׁ, kōl k'lēy 'aṣēy bərôš - literally "all instruments of cypress/fir wood"): This suggests a wide array of instruments crafted from specific wood, indicating quality and perhaps different tones. It implies that every possible means of musical expression was employed. Some traditions interpret this broadly as general wooden musical instruments (KJV) rather than just fir. It sets a comprehensive scope.
  • lyres (Hebrew: כִּנֹּרוֹת, kinnōrôt): A stringed instrument, prominent in Israelite music, often associated with skilled musicians and prophecy (1 Sam 16:23, 10:5).
  • harps (Hebrew: נְבָלִים, nəḇālîm): Another stringed instrument, often distinguished from the lyre, possibly larger and with a different range (1 Sam 10:5). These provide melodic and harmonic richness.
  • tambourines (Hebrew: תֻּפִּים, tuppîm): Percussion instruments, often used by women in joyful processions or dances (Exod 15:20, Judg 11:34). They contribute rhythmic energy.
  • sistrums (Hebrew: מְנַעַנְעִים, mənaʿanʿîm): A percussion instrument, likely a rattle-like instrument with jingles. This emphasizes noisy, percussive sound (found mainly in ancient Egyptian music, suggests adoption). The presence here underlines the expansive nature of their instrumental choices.
  • cymbals (Hebrew: צֶלְצְלִים, tseltselîm): Loud, clanging percussion instruments, used to emphasize moments of praise or for rhythmic accents (1 Chron 15:19, 1 Cor 13:1). They add intensity and volume to the celebration.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD": This phrase captures the spiritual core of the event. It signifies collective, Spirit-filled exuberance and a direct offering to God. It highlights David's unified leadership (political and religious) and the people's collective obedience and joy. It sets the tone for an enthusiastic, reverent gathering acknowledging God's rightful place.
  • "with all kinds of wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.": This listing conveys the extravagance and diversity of the musical praise. It emphasizes that no effort or resource was spared in expressing their worship. The comprehensive nature of the instrumentation symbolizes the "all" of their being offered in worship—their skill, resources, and joyful hearts. This full instrumental ensemble indicates a sound that was rich, vibrant, and undoubtedly loud, symbolizing the depth of their gladness. It's a vivid picture of multi-sensory worship.

2 Samuel 6 5 Bonus section

The spontaneous, unrestrained nature of this celebration is indicative of a deep-seated spiritual awakening under David's leadership. It foreshadows the highly organized and extensive musical establishment later seen in the Temple service under David and Solomon, where thousands were appointed for musical duties (1 Chron 23:5, 25:1-7). The exuberance of this moment also provides a contrast with the somber halt that follows in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 due to Uzzah's improper handling of the Ark, serving as a poignant reminder that even the most well-intentioned worship must align with God's holy requirements. The celebration's grandeur also demonstrates the Israelite conviction that sacred moments merited the very best of their artistic expression, a principle that continued through later temple worship and is echoed in calls for excellence in praise throughout Scripture (e.g., Ps 33:3).

2 Samuel 6 5 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:5 depicts an electrifying moment of worship, reflecting David's vision to make God the center of Israel's unified life. The scene is one of unbridled joy and intense spiritual fervor. The detailed list of instruments emphasizes the lavish, robust nature of their praise—it was not a subdued act but a full-bodied, multi-sensory expression of devotion. David, as king, actively leads this worship, unifying the entire nation ("all the house of Israel") in celebration directly "before the LORD." This communal act demonstrates a profound acknowledgment of God's presence among His people and their joyous response to it. This verse, though brief, sets the tone for a crucial stage in Israel's history—the establishment of a fixed spiritual center for the nation in Jerusalem, under a God-fearing king. It illustrates the permissible and encouraged use of diverse instruments and enthusiastic expressions in worship, celebrating the awesome presence of God among His people, serving as a template for zealous worship.