2 Sam. 6 David fetcheth the ark with much people and great joy out of the house of Abinadab, 2 Sam. 6:1–5. Uzzah laying hold of the ark is slain of God: David is grieved; carries the ark into the house of Obed-edom, whom God blesseth for its sake, 2 Sam. 6:6–11.

The stoutest and valiantest in his army and land, lest the Philistines should attempt to disturb them in this work.

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 1 Chron. 13:1–2. From Baale of Judah. Quest. How from it, when they went to it; as is evident, both from 1 Chron.

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 God’s displeasure upon them for so doing.

To lead the oxen that drew it.

Nachon, otherwise called Chidon, 1 Chron. 13:9. The oxen shook it; for they stumbled. 1 Chron. 13:9.

God smote him with some deadly disease or stroke, as it follows. For his error; either, 1. For his touching the ark, when he was no Levite, as Josephus reports; nor indeed was Kirjath-jearim a Levitical city; or, that being but a Levite, he touched the bare ark, which only the priests might do,…

David was displeased, or, grieved, both for the sin, which he acknowledgeth, 1 Chron. 15:2, 1 Chron. 15:13, and for God’s heavy judgment; whereby their hopes were dashed, and their joys interrupted, and a good subject struck dead for the circumstantial error of a pious mind, which he might possibly…

Afraid of the Lord; either that God was displeased with him for removing the ark, and bringing it to his city; or lest God should proceed further in the way of his judgments upon him and his people; or lest the ark being brought to his house, might be the occasion of inconveniencics and great…

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 Uzzah’s carelessness in managing it.

With happy success in all their affairs and actions.

David brought up the ark of God; understanding that the ark was entertained without danger or inconvenience, and with great advantage, he apprehended his former mistake, and brought it to himself. From the house of Obed-edom, which is thought to have been either in Jerusalem, or very near it.

Had gone six paces with safety and comfort. He sacrificed oxen and fatlings, upon an altar suddenly erected, as was usual in such cases. See Ex. 20:24.

David danced before the Lord, to express his inward joy and thankfulness to God by his outward carriage, according to the manner of these times. See Ex. 15:20, Judg. 11:34, Judg. 21:21, 1 Sam. 18:6, Ps. 149:3.

As one of a base and mean spirit, that knew not how to carry himself with that majesty which became his place, but behaved himself like one of the fools or vain persons in Israel.

In the tabernacle that David had pitched for it; for Moses’s tabernacle was still at Gibeon, 1 Chron. 16:39, 1 Chron. 21:29, 2 Chron. 1:3, which David left there, because he designed to build a temple at Jerusalem with all speed, though he was countermanded therein by God himself.

He blessed the people, i.e. he heartily and solemnly prayed to God for his blessing upon them; which he did both as prophet and as their king, to whom by office it belongs, by all means, to seek his people’s welfare.

Who uncovered himself; either, first, by stripping himself of his royal robes, that he might put on a Levitical ephod; or by discovering some part of his thighs or legs, as might possibly happen whilst he danced with all his might, as is said above, 2 Sam.

It was before the Lord; in his presence and service, which though contemptible to thee, is, and ever shall be, honourable in mine eyes. Which chose me before thy father, and before all his house; which took away the honour from him and his, and transferred it upon me, whereby he hath obliged me to…

I will be base in mine own sight; I will always be ready to humble and abase myself before God. Of them shall I be had in honour; I shall rather choose to get honour from the meanest of my people, in serving and praising God, than to gain esteem from thee by my lukewarmness in God’s service.

Therefore; not because of David’s words to her, which have nothing in them to this purpose; but because of her proud, and petulant, and ungodly speech and carriage to David, which God justly punished with sterility.