Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 6:10

So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

10. Obed-edom the Gittite ] Obed-edom was a Levite belonging to the family of the Korahites, who were descended from Kohath ( 1Ch 26:1 ; 1Ch 26:4-8; Num 16:1). He is called a Gittite probably because he was a native of the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon, in Dan or Manasseh, which was assigned to the Kohathites (Jos 21:24-25). Thus there was an appropriateness in his being chosen to take charge of the Ark, since he belonged to the family which was originally appointed to carry it from place to place (Num 4:15). The site of Gath-rimmon is not determined, but it seems to have been further from Jerusalem than Kirjath-jearim, and this appears to indicate either that Obed-edom had removed from his native place and was living near Jerusalem, or that “Perez-uzzah” was not far from Kirjath-jearim, and that the special fitness of Obed-edom to take charge of the Ark induced David to take it to his house, though at a greater distance from Jerusalem.

The name Obed-edom (= servant of Edom) is peculiar. It may possibly refer to the servitude of some member of the family to the Edomites.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of Merari, being 1Ch 15:18-24; 1Ch 16:38 a son of Jeduthun, who was a Merarite. He was a porter, a player on the harp, and was one of the Levites especially designated to take part in the musical services on the occasion of bringing up the ark to Zion, and to minister before it when brought up. He is called a Gittite perhaps from Gath-Rimmon, in Manasseh, which belonged to the Kohathites Jos 21:25. Marriage with a Kohathite, or some other cause, would account for his dwelling in a Kohathite city.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 10. But David carried it aside] The house of Obed-edom appears to have been very near the city, which they were about to enter, but were prevented by this accident, and lodged the ark with the nearest friend.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Which doubtless was done by the consent and desire of the owner of it, who for the enjoyment of so great a privilege, was willing to expose himself to some hazard; and wisely considered that the late judgment was not to be imputed to the ark, but to Uzzahs carelessness in managing it.

The Gittite: he was certainly a Levite, 1Ch 15:18,21,21; 16:5; 26:4, and here called a Gittite, either, first, from Gath of the Philistines, where he or his father might be born or have sojourned, which might be upon divers occasions; or, secondly, from Gath-rimmon, which was a Levitical city, Jos 21:24,25.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David,…. As yet, but wait a little longer, until he had more thoroughly considered of it, and made himself acquainted with everything relative to the ark, that he might know how to behave for the future, without giving offence:

but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite; which was close by, on one side of the place where they were; this man was a Levite, as appears from his being afterwards appointed to be doorkeeper for the ark, and to sing praise before it, and so a proper person to commit the care of it to, 1Ch 15:18; he is called a Gittite, either because he had sojourned in Gath some time, or rather because he was of Gathrimmon, a city of the Levites, Jos 21:24.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(10) Obed-edom the Gittite.He was a Levite, but whether of the family of Kohath or of Merari is uncertain, since at this time the name appears in both these families (see for Merari, 1Ch. 15:17-18, and for Kohath, 1Ch. 26:1; 1Ch. 26:4; 1Ch. 26:8; 1Ch. 26:13-15). The one hero mentioned was a Gittite, i.e., born at, or belonging to, Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city on the confines of Dan and Manasseh (Jos. 21:24-25). One of these Levites is described as the son of Jeduthun (1Ch. 16:38, where both are mentioned), and as Jeduthun probably belonged to the family of Merari, it is probable that the one here mentioned was called the Gittite for distinctions sake, and belonged to the family of Kohath, to which Gath-rimmon belonged (Jos. 21:20). Moreover, it is said of the Obed-edom of 1Ch. 26:4-5, that God blessed him, which seems to refer to this passage. The name, although a singular one (servant of Edom) was not uncommon, and was also borne by one having charge of the vessels of the sanctuary in the days of King Amaziah (2Ch. 25:24). The Obed-edoms of Davids time were porters of the Tabernacle, Levitical musicians, and took an active part in bringing the ark to Jerusalem, and afterwards in ministering before it (1Ch. 15:16; 1Ch. 15:18; 1Ch. 15:21; 1Ch. 15:24; 1Ch. 16:4-5; 1Ch. 16:37-38; 1Ch. 26:1; 1Ch. 26:4; 1Ch. 26:13-15).

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

10. Obed-edom A Levite descended from Kohath, (see 1Ch 26:8,) and afterwards honoured as one of the “doorkeepers for the ark.” 1Ch 15:24. His family long continued in the sanctuary service as keepers of the sacred vessels. 2Ch 25:24.

The Gittite So called from the name of his birthplace, the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in the tribe of Dan. Jos 19:45; Jos 21:24.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

‘ So David would not remove the ark of YHWH to him into the city of David, but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.’

On this basis David was unwilling to move the Ark into the City of David. He did not want YHWH’s anger to fall on the City of David as well. So instead he arranged for it to be carried to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of the Korahites, which sprang from Kohath (compare 1Ch 26:4), and belonged to the class of Levitical doorkeepers whose duty it was, in cooperation with other Levites, to watch over the Ark in the sacred tent (1Ch 15:18; 1Ch 15:24). Thus he was a very suitable person for the task. He was probably called the Gittite or Gathite from the fact that his birthplace was the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in the tribe of Dan (Jos 21:24; compare Jos 19:45), although some have argued that he was from the Philistine Gath.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

2Sa 6:10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

Ver. 10. So David would not remove. ] For he taketh it for granted that it was not God’s will he should.

Into the house of Obededom the Gittite, ] i.e., Born in Gathrimmon, a city of priests, Jos 21:24-25 and himself a Levite, a good man, and glad of such a guest as the ark, which he entertained cheerfully, and resolved to handle holily. Sancte magis quam scite, as he once said to the Vestalis Virgo.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)