Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 6:2
And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims.
2. from Baale of Judah ] Baale of Judah is generally supposed to be another name for Kirjath-jearim, which is called Baalah in Jos 15:9; 1Ch 13:6, and Kirjath-Baal in Jos 15:60. Here the Ark had remained since its return from the country of the Philistines (1Sa 7:1-2). If the preposition “ from ” is correct, we must assume that the narrator passes over the journey to Kirjath-jearim, and speaks of the return only: but this seems improbable, and most commentators emend the text in accordance with 1Ch 13:6, and read “ to. ”
The ancient versions however do not take the words as a proper name, but render them “ of the rulers ” or “ of the men, of Judah,” the word being the same as that translated “ men ” in ch. 2Sa 21:12. If this is right, the name of the place has dropped out from the text and must be restored, so that the verse would read, “And David and all the people that were with him of the rulers of Judah arose and went to Baalah to bring up, &c.” This appears to have been the reading found by the LXX., though partly misunderstood by them, and has strong claims to be considered as the true text.
The usual identification of Kirjath-jearim with Kuryet-el-enab (see note on 1Sa 6:21) has lately been called in question by Lieut. Conder, who proposes to place it at ’Erma, four miles E. of Ain Shems (Beth-shemesh), on the edge of the Wady-es-Surar or Valley of Sorek. The name ’Erma corresponds to the form Arim, which took the place of the original Jearim in later times (Ezr 2:25); the dense brushwood still clothing the hills agrees with the meaning of the name “city of forests;” and the position suits the data much better than the Kuryet-el-enab site. See Pal. Expl. Fund Quart. Paper for Oct. 1881, p. 261.
whose name, &c. ] Better, which is called by the Name, the name of Jehovah of Hosts, who sitteth enthroned upon the cherubim. Cp. Deu 28:10 ; 1Ki 8:43. “The Name” is first written absolutely, as at the end of Lev 24:16, and then more fully defined as “the name of Jehovah of Hosts.” In later Jewish writings “the Name” is commonly used to signify God, and especially as an equivalent for the sacred name Jehovah which might not be pronounced.
The Ark is specially said to be “called by the name of Jehovah of Hosts,” because it was the symbol of the covenant between Jehovah and Israel, and because it was the place where He chiefly chose to manifest Himself by visible tokens to His people. Cp. notes on 1Sa 4:4; 1Sa 4:21; and for the meaning of the title “Jehovah of Hosts” see Additional Note I. to 1 Sam. p. 235.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
From Baale of Judah – See the margin and 1Sa 6:21 note.
Whose name … – The literal rendering is, Upon which is called the Name, the Name of Yahweh of Hosts, who sits upon the cherubim, i. e. the ark which is called after the Lord of Hosts and bears His Name (see Deu 28:10; 1Ki 8:43; Isa 4:1).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. From Baale of Judah] This is supposed to be the same city which, in Jos 15:60, is called Kirjah-baal or Kirjath-jearim; (see 1Ch 13:6😉 or Baalah, Jos 15:9.
Whose name is called by the name of the Lord] That is, The ark is called the ark of the Lord of hosts. But this is not a literal version; the word shem, NAME, occurs twice together; probably one of them should be read sham, THERE. There the name of the Lord of hosts was invoked, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
With all the people that were with him; with the whole body of the people; for these seem to be a differing party from the thirty thousand now mentioned. See 1Ch 13:1,2.
From Baale of Judah.
Quest. How from it, when they went to it; as is evident, both from 1Ch 13:6, and because the ark was there, and to be fetched thence?
Answ. Some affirm that the Hebrew preposition mem sometimes signifies to, as Gen 13:11. But there is no need of that; for 1Ch 13:6 mentions their going to Baalah, and this place mentions their going from it; and the one of these doth manifestly suppose the other; for they went thither, that they might return thence. So the sense is plain,
They went from Baale of Judah, to bring (or rather to carry, for the word signifies either)
up from thence the ark; whereby it is supposed that they first went thither, which is related 1Ch 13:6. Moreover, this place is commonly called Kirjath-jearim, 1Sa 7:1; 1Ch 12:5, and formerly Kirjath-baal, Jos 15:60, and Baalah, Jos 15:9, and here Baale of Judah; so called because it was in the tribe of Judah, as is evident from Jos 15:1, &c.
To bring up from thence the ark of God unto Jerusalem, which, in many respects, was fitter for it than Baalah; because this was a more public place, where it would be more observed and regarded; and in the centre of the kingdom, to which they might more easily come from all parts; and the royal city, where it might be always at hand for David to inquire at, as occasion required; and the place which God had allotted for it.
Whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts: thus whose belongs not to the ark, but to God; for what follows is not the name of the ark, but of God. The place may well be, and is by some, rendered thus, Upon (or at, or beside, or before) which (ark) the name, even the name of
the Lord of hosts, that dwelleth between the cherubims, is called upon; i. e. by or before which they were to present their prayers to God for counsel and succour upon all occasions. And this is mentioned here as the reason why David put himself and his people to so great trouble and charge, because it was to fetch up the choicest treasure which they had, and so the benefit would abundantly recompense the inconvenience.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. from Baale of JudahA verylarge force of picked men were selected for this important work lestthe undertaking might be opposed or obstructed by the Philistines.Besides, a great concourse of people accompanied them out ofveneration for the sacred article. The journey to Baale, whichis related (1Ch 13:6), is herepresupposed, and the historian describes the course of the processionfrom that place to the capital.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him,…. The thirty thousand chosen men gathered together, and as many else as chose to go:
from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God; that is, they first went to this place, as in 1Ch 13:6; in order to fetch the ark from thence, as here expressed, and then they came from thence with it; this place is the same that is called Baalah and Kirjathbaal, a city in the tribe of Judah; hence Judah is added to it, and the same with Kirjathjearim, Jos 15:9; the place where it was brought to when fetched from Bethshemesh, 1Sa 7:1; and had been here now near fifty years; nor was it any where else during this time, only once at Gibeah of Saul with him, 1Sa 14:18;
whose name he called by the name of the Lord of hosts, that dwelleth [between] the cherubim; not the ark, but the Lord, whose is the ark; his name is called by the name of Jehovah, the infinite, incomprehensible, eternal, and immutable Being, the Lord of armies above and below; whose habitation was between the cherubim that overshadowed the mercy seat, which was above the ark; all this is said, not only to express the greatness and majesty of God, but for the honour of the ark, which belonged to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) From Baale of Judah.There is either a textual error here, so that instead of from should be read to, or else the historian is so occupied with his main subject that he omits the mention of the journey to Baale. In Jos. 15:9 and 1Ch. 13:6, Baale is said to be another name for Kirjath-jearim. This was the place to which the ark was carried after its removal from Bethshemesh (1Sa. 7:2), and it had remained here ever since. It has been generally identified with Kuryet-el-enab, about eight miles a little north of west from Jerusalem. More recent opinion places it at Erma, about eleven miles a little south of west from Jerusalem, and four miles east of Bethshemesh. In either case it was three or four hours march from the capital.
Whose name is called.Neither the text nor the margin of the English represents the original quite accurately. Translate, which is called by the name, the name of Jehovah of hosts. The ark is thus described as being the visible symbol of Gods presence and of His covenant with His people.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. From Baale of Judah Another name for Kirjath-jearim. See on Jos 15:9. The preposition from ( ) is probably the error of some ancient copyist. In Chronicles it is went up to Baal-ah.
Whose name is called by the name of the Lord Rather, as De Wette, Keil, and others translate, Over which is called the name, the name of Jehovah of hosts. The repetition of the word name intensifies the thought of the personal Presence of Jehovah over the mercy-seat. “There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony.” Exo 25:22.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Sa 6:2. From Baale of Judah Baale is the same city which in Jos 15:60 is called Kirjath-baal, or Kirjath-jearim. See 1Ch 13:6.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims.
Ver. 2. From Baale of Judah. ] Called also Kirjathbaal, Jos 15:60 and Kirjathjearim. 1Ch 13:6
To bring up from thence the ark of God.
That dwelleth between the cherabims.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Baale. The old Canaanite name of Kirjath-jearim. Compare 1Sa 6:21; 1Sa 7:2. 1Ch 13:6.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
whose name is called by the name. Some codices, with Aramaean and Vulgate, read “whereupon is called the name”, &c.
the LORD of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah.Sebaioth. One of the Jehovah titles. App-4. Compare 2Sa 5:10, and see note on 1Sa 1:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Baale: Jos 15:9, Jos 15:10, Jos 15:60, Baalah, i.e. Kirjath-jearim, 1Sa 7:1, 1Ch 13:5, 1Ch 13:6
whose name: etc. or, at which the name, even the name of the Lord of hosts, was called upon, Lev 24:11-16, Isa 47:4, Isa 54:5
dwelleth: Exo 25:18-22, 1Sa 4:4, 1Ki 8:6, 1Ki 8:7, Psa 80:1, 1Pe 1:12
Reciprocal: Exo 25:22 – between Num 4:5 – and cover Jos 18:14 – Kirjathbaal 1Ki 8:1 – that they might bring 2Ch 1:4 – the ark Psa 78:67 – General Luk 19:37 – the whole
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 6:2. From Baale of Judah The same with Kirjath-jearim, 1Ch 13:6, called Baalah, Jos 15:9, and Kirjath-baal, Jos 15:60; Jos 18:14. Some have apprehended a difficulty here, because it is said they went from Baale, whereas, 1Ch 13:6, it is said they went to Baale. But there is no disagreement between these two places. They first went from Jerusalem and other places to Baale, where they assembled, and then from it to Gibeah. To bring up from thence the ark of God Where it had been a long time in the house of Abinadab, whose son had been sanctified to attend it, 1Sa 7:1. Whose name is called by the name, &c. This rendering is both obscure and inaccurate. The clause should either be translated, On which (ark) is called the name, even the name of the Lord of hosts; that is, which is named the ark of the Lord of hosts: or, At, by, or before which the name, even the name of the Lord of hosts is called upon; that is, by or before which they were to present their prayers to God for counsel and succour on all occasions. And this is mentioned here as the reason why David put himself and his people to so great trouble and charge; it was to fetch up the choicest treasure which they had; it was to convey to its appointed place the ark of the Lord of hosts; the symbol and token of his presence with them, and the medium and principal instrument of their whole worship and service.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from {a} Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims.
(a) This was a city in Judah called also Kirjathjearim, Jos 15:9.