2 Samuel 6 9

2 Samuel 6:9 kjv

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

2 Samuel 6:9 nkjv

David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?"

2 Samuel 6:9 niv

David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, "How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?"

2 Samuel 6:9 esv

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?"

2 Samuel 6:9 nlt

David was now afraid of the LORD, and he asked, "How can I ever bring the Ark of the LORD back into my care?"

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 9 Meaning

David experienced profound fear and awe of the LORD on that day, following Uzzah's sudden death. This fear stemmed from a realization of the LORD's absolute holiness and the gravity of mishandling divine things. Consequently, David questioned his ability and worthiness to bring the Ark of the Covenant into his presence, reflecting a shift from presumptuous action to a humbling recognition of proper divine protocols.

2 Samuel 6 9 Context

2 Samuel 6 describes David's first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne and presence, to Jerusalem. David's initial approach was zealous but procedurally flawed; instead of having the Levites carry it on poles as commanded in the Mosaic Law, he transported it on a new cart, mirroring the Philistines' method (1 Sam 6:7-8). This grave disobedience culminated in the death of Uzzah, one of the attendants, who reached out to steady the Ark when the oxen stumbled. Uzzah's immediate demise, even if his intention was to help, revealed the terrifying reality of God's unapproachable holiness to those who disregarded His explicit commands for its handling. David's response in verse 9 reflects his deep fear, astonishment, and humble bewilderment at this divine judgment. Historically, the event underscores David's journey from a zealous but ill-informed leader to one who learns the importance of strictly adhering to God's precise instructions for worship and the handling of sacred objects. The polemic is evident in the stark contrast with pagan religions, where deities could be freely handled or manipulated; Yahweh's holiness demands an absolute adherence to His specific will, revealing His incomparably awesome nature.

2 Samuel 6 9 Word analysis

• And David: Refers to King David, whose initial zeal for the Ark's return turned to profound realization. His prominent role as Israel's king highlights the responsibility of leadership in honoring God.
• was afraid (יָרֵא, yare): This Hebrew word signifies a deep, reverential fear or awe, not merely terror. It encompasses respect, submission, and recognition of overwhelming power and holiness. It's the "fear of the LORD" which is often associated with wisdom (Prov 1:7). David was not just startled; he grasped the magnitude of God's presence and purity.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): Emphasizes that the object of David's fear was God Himself, not just the circumstance. YHWH, the covenant name for God, stresses His personal and active involvement, reinforcing the idea that this was a divine judgment directly from Him. This is God revealing His holiness.
• that day: Immediately links David's fear to Uzzah's death. The judgment was swift and absolute, deeply impacting David in that singular moment.
• and he said: Marks David's spoken response, expressing his internal realization and new perplexity.
• How shall: Expresses David's confusion and deep uncertainty. It's a rhetorical question stemming from his humbled perspective. He implicitly acknowledges his previous miscalculation.
• the ark of the LORD (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה, aron YHWH): The Ark symbolized God's presence, His throne on earth, containing the Law, manna, and Aaron's rod. Its title here emphasizes its divine ownership and sacredness. Its immense holiness makes its handling dangerous if not done precisely by divine decree.
• come to me?: Implies David's previous eagerness to host the Ark, but now tempered with apprehension. His desire for God's presence is confronted with the demanding reality of God's holiness. It reflects a profound introspection: "Am I worthy? Can I safely contain such holiness?"

Words-group analysis:

• "And David was afraid of the LORD that day": This phrase dramatically shifts David's attitude. From jubilant enthusiasm (2 Sam 6:5), he transitions to profound reverence. It underscores the immediate, sobering impact of divine judgment. This fear is a holy fear, a proper understanding of God's unapproachable majesty that was tragically missed in the previous moments.
• "How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?": This is a cry of recognition. David is no longer asking if it should come, but how it possibly can come. It demonstrates his realization of the vast gap between man's impure attempts and God's absolute holiness. This marks a turning point where David would subsequently inquire and adhere to the divine instructions, found in Num 4, for moving the Ark. This humility contrasts sharply with his initial presumption.

2 Samuel 6 9 Bonus section

The tragic incident with Uzzah and David's subsequent fear highlights a fundamental theological truth: God's holiness is inherently dangerous to those who disregard it. This is not arbitrary cruelty, but a consistent revelation of His unapproachable purity. The initial joyous procession (2 Sam 6:5) demonstrates that David's zeal was right, but his method was wrong, indicating that proper worship involves both a fervent heart and obedience to established divine protocols. The event functions as a divine pedagogy, instructing David and Israel that handling holy things—or indeed, engaging with God—requires precise knowledge and careful adherence to God's instructions, especially those detailed in the Law concerning the tabernacle service. David’s pause to re-evaluate his methods after this trauma, rather than continuing rashly, indicates a Spirit-led correction that ultimately leads to the Ark being brought to Jerusalem successfully and reverently in 1 Chronicles 15. The phrase "fear of the LORD" developed significantly in Israelite theology to denote reverential awe that leads to obedience and wisdom, a lesson profoundly absorbed by David in this instance.

2 Samuel 6 9 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:9 marks a crucial turning point in David's handling of the Ark and his understanding of God's holiness. Prior to Uzzah's death, David's zeal, while commendable, was not accompanied by obedience to God's specific commands regarding the Ark's transport. Uzzah's immediate death served as a stark and terrifying reminder that God's holiness is not to be casually approached or contained. It demands precise adherence to His revealed will, not human innovation or good intentions alone. David's fear, then, was not merely terror, but a realization of God's uncompromising nature and the dire consequences of irreverence. His question, "How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?" reflects a newly acquired humility and a desire to learn and conform to God's ways rather than proceeding presumptuously. This incident underscores that divine presence brings both blessing and potential judgment, requiring profound reverence and strict obedience.

Practical usage:

• Approaching God in worship or service requires reverence and adherence to His revealed Word, not our own preferences or innovations.
• Genuine spiritual growth often comes from a deep realization of God's holiness, leading to humility and a desire to walk according to His precepts.
• Our intentions, however good, do not override God's specific commands or standards.