2 Samuel 6:1-4·~1 min

David Fetches the Ark

David assembles Israel’s chosen men and leads them to bring up the ark, whose name marks the LORD’s enthroned presence among his people.

D¹avid again assembled the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand in all. ²And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name— the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

The ark is placed on a new cart from Abinadab’s house, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it as the procession sets out.

³They 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, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart, ⁴bringing with it the ark of God. And Ahio was walking in front of the ark.

Section summaryDavid gathers a great company from Israel and sets out to bring the ark from Baale of Judah. The ark’s holy name is named, and the procession begins with the ark placed on a new cart and guided from Abinadab’s house.

Role in the chapterThis opening movement sets the chapter’s purpose in clear view: David means to draw the ark into the center of Israel’s life. It also establishes the scale, dignity, and direction of the journey before that movement is suddenly interrupted.