Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 6:3
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
3. set the ark ] Lit. made the ark to ride.
upon a new cart ] Not desecrated by common uses. Cp. 1Sa 6:7. This was however a breach of the Levitical law, which prescribed that the Ark should be borne upon the shoulders of the Levites (Num 3:29-31; Num 7:9).
in Gibeah ] Rather, on the hill, as the same word is correctly translated in 1Sa 7:1. Some eminence in or near Kirjath-jearim is meant.
Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab ] The Ark had been in the house of Abinadab for seventy or eighty years twenty during the Philistine oppression, forty or fifty under Samuel and Saul, and perhaps ten of David’s reign. See the Chronological Table in the Introd. to 1 Sam. p. 24.
As Eleazar the son of Abinadab was old enough to be entrusted with the charge of the Ark when it was placed in his father’s house, we must clearly understand “sons” here in the wider sense of “descendants,” grandsons or great-grandsons. Cp. ch. 2Sa 9:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
3, 4. The text of these verses is corrupt. Some words have been accidentally repeated by a scribe in copying the Hebrew, and should be struck out, on the authority of the LXX., and the end of 2Sa 6:3 and 2Sa 6:4 read thus: “Now Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab were driving the cart with the Ark of God, and Ahio was going before he Ark.” 2Sa 6:4 is omitted altogether in 1 Chr. It is doubtful moreover whether Ahio is a proper name at all. The same consonants with different vowels would mean his brethren, as the Sept. renders the word here, or his brother, as the Vulg. renders it in 1Ch 13:7.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The house of Abinadab in Gibeah – . Rather, on the hill (as in margin and 1Sa 7:1). It does not at all follow that Abinadab was still alive, nor can we conclude from Uzzah and Ahio being called sons of Abinadab, that they were literally his children. They may well have been sons of Eleazar and grandsons of Abinadab, or yet more remote descendants; since there is no distinct evidence that Abinadab was alive even when the ark was brought to Kirjath-jearim. The house may have retained the name of the house of Abinadab long after his death.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Sa 6:3
And they set the Ark of God upon a now cart.
Novelties in religion and their end
The ark is taken from its resting place amid the reverent joy of the assembly, and placed upon a vehicle specially manufactured for the transit, while Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
I. The fact that the ark was placed upon a new cart shows how, in the desire to serve God, even a good man may err. It is a fact substantiated by experience, and supported by the voice of history, that man at his best is but an erring creature. His folly is often exhibited in his best moments. At his highest point of wisdom–loftiest step of knowledge.
his feebleness of judgment and folly are displayed. The claim to infallibility is but the ambition of the child–the blundering of the blind. Would it not be a wonderful improvement on the old style of things to have a new cart? Will it not harmonise with the new order established? Pay no attention to that worn-out, obsolete plan of carrying the ark; abandon the old poles and have a new cart. It will save the shoulders of the Levites; it will be a new feature in its way; it will be admired for its construction, and commended for the use to which it will be devoted. And so we reason in our work for God. Antiquity gains no reverence from us. The old poles with which our fathers did their work are considered out of date and useless, and we drag out our new cart on every occasion when our labour is required. Starting some fresh thing, inventing some novelty, forgetting all the while that Gods way is best.
II. See the extent to which novelty is tolerated in religion, The old charge against the Athenians is still true of many in modern times. Novelty secures admiration wherever it is found. Have a new cart, and the world will stop and stare. Affect originality, even if it be a spurious thing, and you may speak to listening ears. Stop not to ask questions about propriety; pay no respect to the past; be extravagant and sensational, and you will gather a crowd. We have grown liberal all at once. Gods commandments are without authority in this age; you may be religious in whatever way is most appropriate. By all means have a cart. If you find yourself in doubt as to the Saviours Divinity, you can have an Unitarian cart; if you think the mode of Nonconformist worship too dull, and that more aesthetic beauty is desirable in the service then have a Ritualistic cart; if you have any scruples about the immortality of your soul, then have the Annihilationist cart; if you admire religion being done by attorney, then have a Roman Catholic cart; if you think the Church should be a club, where everything may be believed and everything denied, then have a Broad Church cart. Get rid of the old poles; new carts are the fashion of this novelty-loving age. Let all the old-fashioned things rot. Reform your plans, improve your methods, tax your inventive genius, produce a new cart. Oh! how fond we are of novelties! The last new thing is the best. The last new creed; the latest criticism on supernatural religion; the last utterance of the scientist; the last sceptical theory from, the professor; these are the things that win admiration. But give me religion without these inventions. Let it be pure and simple, without any man-made additions–the old ark borne by the consecrated poles. Take away those mocking substitutes. For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
III. see the ruinous consequences of novelties in religion. They set out with the cart but soon disasters befel it on the road; and Uzzah, lifting his hand to steady the falling ark, was stricken dead at its wheels. That put an end to the new cart system with David. It taught him a lesson he never forgot. Never after that did he order another. He went back immediately to the forsaken poles. Let us keep to Gods way in religion, and while the spirit of the age is clamorous for something new, let us stand by the old, and revere the ark. (W. J. Hall.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 3. A new cart] Every thing used in the worship of God was hallowed or set apart for that purpose: a new cart was used through respect, as that had never been applied to any profane or common purpose. But this was not sufficient, for the ark should have been carried on the shoulders of the priests; and the neglect of this ceremony was the cause of the death of Uzzah.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They set the ark upon a new cart; being taught and encouraged to do so by the example of the Philistines, who did so without any token of Gods displeasure upon them for so doing. But they did not sufficiently consider that God might wink at the Philistines, because they were ignorant of Gods laws; and yet be angry with them for the same thing, because they knew, or might and should have known, the law of God, which commanded the priests to bear it upon their shoulders, Num 4:14,15; 7:9. But their present transports of joy at, the happy change of their affairs, and their greedy desire of having the ark removed, make them hasty and inconsiderate.
In Gibeah; or, on the hill, as 1Sa 7:1.
Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab; for Abinadab himself seems now to have been dead, or at least detained at home through infirmity or indispensable occasions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. they set the ark of God upon anew cartor a covered wagon (see on 1Sa6:7). This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violationof an express statute (see on Nu 4:15and see Num 7:9; Num 18:3).
2Sa6:6-11. UZZAH SMITTEN.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart,…. Which was a great mistake, since it ought not to have been put upon a cart, old or new; it was to be borne upon men’s shoulders, and carried by Levites only, and those of the family of Kohath, to whom no wagons were given, when others had them, for the above reason, Nu 7:9; it is strange that so many priests and Levites, and of the people of Israel gathered together on that account, and David also, so well versed in the law of God, should not refer to it; perhaps they were led by the example of the Philistines, who put it in a new cart, and set it forward towards Bethshemesh, and were not punished for it; but it should have been considered they were an ignorant Heathen people, and who had no proper persons among them to bear it, and so might be dispensed with. This mistake was afterwards seen by David, and rectified, 1Ch 15:2; wherefore there is no reason to charge the text with an error or escape, and that the word “Kirjathjearim” is wanting, and to be supplied, as Spinosa d suggests:
and brought it out, or “after they had brought it out” e,
of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibeah; or which was on the hill in Kirjathjearim, 1Sa 7:1;
and Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drew the new cart; perhaps not only Abinadab himself was dead, but Eleazar also, his eldest son, who was sanctified to keep the ark, as in 1Sa 7:1; and these might be his younger sons who at this time had the care of it, and it may be especially Uzzah.
d Tractat. Theol. Politic. c. 9. p. 176. e “quum extulissent”, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) Upon a new cart.The new cart, one which had been used for no other purpose, was doubtless intended as a mark of respect (comp. 1Sa. 6:7); yet it was a violation of the law (Num. 7:9), requiring that the ark should be borne by the Levites. It is not necessary to suppose that David intended to violate the law; but the ark having been left neglected for more than two generations, the exact requirements in regard to it may easily have passed out of mind.
Abinadab that was in Gibeah.Rather, in the hill, as the same word is translated in 1Sa. 7:1. Abinadab himself may have been long since dead, and Uzzah and Ahio may have been either his sons, now advanced in life, or his grandsons.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. A new cart Like that which the Philistine diviners ordered for the removal of this same ark from their coasts. 1Sa 6:7. Strange carelessness on the part of the Israelites, amounting to sacrilege. The only lawful way to bear this holy shrine was by means of the staves extending through the rings on its sides. Exo 25:14.
That was in Gibeah Rather, that was in the hill, as the margin and 1Sa 7:1. Here the ark had stood in obscurity and neglect for more than sixty years.
Sons of Abinadab Born, doubtless, many years after the ark had been given in charge of their father.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(3) And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. (4) And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
I always feel concern, when David undertakes anything without first consulting the Lord. We read of his conferring with his captains on the removal of the ark, but nothing is said of his communion with the Lord of hosts. Here seems also another error in the first commencement of this weighty business. If the Reader will turn back to Num 4:15 , with Num 7:9 , and compare both with Exo 25:14 , he will then discover how sacred the removal of the ark was to be considered, and only to be borne on the shoulders of the priests. How then could they dare to put the ark of God upon a cart?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
Ver. 3. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart. ] After the example of the Philistines, 1Sa 6:7 but not after God’s command. Num 4:15 ; Num 7:9 It was no good that Israelites could learn of Philistines: and that which God will take from Philistines he will not brook from Israel. The staff rings that were upon the ark might have minded the Kohathites of their duty; but it may be that they thought it was a long way from Kirjathjearim to Jerusalem, and were willing to be eased of the burden.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
a new cart. This was contrary to the Divinely prescribed law (Num 4:15; Num 7:9; Num 10:21. Deu 10:8. Jos 3:14. Jos 15:24. 1Ch 13:7; 1Ch 15:2, &c.) When the Philistines did it in ignorance (1Sa 6:7) no judgment fell on them, because the Law of Moses was not delivered to them. But David should have known: hence judgment came. The solemn lesson is that anything introduced into the worship of God contrary to His requirements is deserving of His judgments. This includes all that is contrary to Joh 4:24, and all that is of the flesh, which “profiteth nothing” (Joh 6:63). All this is like David’s “new cart” and is sin in God’s sight. See note on 1Sa 6:7, and compare 1Sa 15:22.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
new cart
The story of David’s new cart and its results is a striking illustration of the spiritual truth that blessing does not follow even the best intentions in the service of God except as that service is rendered in God’s way. It is a constant point of failure. God had given explicit directions how the ark should be borne. Num 4:1-15 but David adopted a Philistine expedient.
1Sa 6:7; 1Sa 6:8. The church is full of Philistine ways of doing service to Christ. Cf.; 1Co 1:17-31; 2Co 10:4; 2Co 10:5. See, also, 1Ch 15:2.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
set: etc. Heb. made the ark of God to ride, Num 4:5-12, Num 7:9, 1Sa 6:7
Gibeah: or, the hill
Reciprocal: Exo 37:5 – General Jos 3:3 – the priests Jdg 20:28 – Shall I yet 1Sa 6:11 – they laid 1Sa 7:1 – Abinadab 1Ch 13:7 – in a new cart 1Ch 15:13 – ye did it
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 6:3. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart Which ought to have been carried upon the shoulders of the Kohathites, Num 7:9; for which reason, no wagons, were allowed to them, as there were to the rest of the Levites, to carry several parts of the tabernacle. It is matter of astonishment to me, says Delaney, how David and all the priests and people could fall into so great an error, and deviate so strangely from the plain precepts of the law of God in this point, which expressly prohibited any but the priest to touch the ark, upon pain of death, Num 4:5; Num 4:15; and any but the Levites to carry it. The best apology that can be made for them is, that David now succeeded to the throne after a long irreligious reign, in which the ark, and every thing relating to it, were utterly neglected; especially after the massacre of all those priests whose peculiar business it was to attend the tabernacle, (all but one young man,) and who were, in all probability, the only priests of that realm that had ever seen it, or knew any thing of its rituals; and there was not then, probably, any one priest or Levite alive who had ever seen it removed. In short, the public worship of God had long been discouraged and neglected in Israel; and with that the study of the Scriptures, except so much as was absolutely necessary for the administration of the civil affairs of the state. Would to God Israel were the only nation upon which this sad truth could at any time be pronounced! Add to all this, that David and his people had now been for many years immersed in wars; and the voice of religion, as well as reason, is often drowned in the din of arms. It is true, the Philistines had, about ninety years before, removed the ark with impunity, 1Sa 6:17, in the same manner as the Israelites did now; but they forgot, that what was pardonable in the Philistines might be highly criminal in the Israelites; because the Philistines were ignorant of Gods laws; but the Israelites knew, or might have known, that the Lord commanded that the Levites should bear the ark upon their shoulders. But their present transports of joy, on account of the happy change of their affairs, and their greedy desire of having the ark of God removed, made them inconsiderate. In Gibeah Or on the hill, as 1Sa 7:1.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that [was] in {b} Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
(b) which was a high place in the city of Baale.