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Bible Commentary
2 Samuel

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2 Samuel 6

2Sa 6:3

ON A NEW CART: The priests and Levites of Israel were copying the Philistines, not the law of Moses: 1Sa 6:7; 1Ch 13:7.

2Sa 6:11

During this time, David wrote Psa 30: "dedication of house" -- which details his own recovery from illness (Psa 30:1-3,7-10).

GITTITE: Man of Gath, prob Gath-rimmon, town of Kohathites (Jos 21:20-24), whose duty was to carry ark (Num 7:9).

2Sa 6:13

SIX STEPS: There is no plainly evident reason for this provision. Why six steps? (1) To simply state that sacrifices were offered very soon after they started out? (2) Six days, followed by a seventh day of offering to God? (3) Was this connected with the time, or place, where Uzzah was struck down? (4) Some suggest that sacrifices were offered EVERY six steps along the road between Obed-Edom's house and Jerusalem -- but this was prob impractical.

2Sa 6:14

LINEN EPHOD: Priestly garment.

DANCED BEFORE THE LORD: The normal practice of a slave when an important person visits a place (StrScr 23).

2Sa 6:16

SHE DESPISED HIM IN HER HEART: Michal supposes David is lowering himself before men -- because she does not perceive the importance of God's presence. She forgot that her father had done the same thing (1Sa 19:24). (Cp the attitude of the Pharisees, who witness the rejoicing of Israel when Jesus enters Jerusalem: Mat 21:15.)

2Sa 6:17

A number of David's psalms stem from this incident: "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart" (Psa 15:1,2). "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false" (Psa 24:3,4). "Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel" (Psa 68:24-26). "O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured... I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob... Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool -- arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might" (Psa 132:1,4,5,7,8).

2Sa 6:18

HE BLESSED THE PEOPLE: At this time, David sang a special psa: see 1Ch 16:7-36; Psa 105:1-15.

2Sa 6:19

// Mat 26:26-29.

2Sa 6:20

THE KING OF ISRAEL... DISROBING: Who was, actually, wearing linen robes of a priest rather than royal robes!

SLAVE GIRLS: Was this Michal's contemptuous ref to the other wives of David, to whom she feels superior by virtue of being the daughter of a king?

// 1Ch 15:29: "Michal... despised him in her heart." "The last time that we saw Michal at a window she was lowering David down to escape the wrath of her father (1Sa 19:12). On that occasion she risked her life for her husband. On this occasion she 'despised him in her heart'. David had grown spiritually whilst he was away from her. She had degenerated spiritually. So the wilderness was a better growing environment that the court of the king" (PF).

2Sa 6:22

BUT BY THESE SLAVE GIRLS YOU SPOKE OF, I WILL BE HELD IN HONOR: 'My other wives understand my behavior!'

2Sa 6:23

MICHAL... HAD NO CHILDREN...: Saul's kingdom was not to continue in any way. His grandsons (by Michal?) were not to be kings (1Sa 13:13).

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