07. David brings the Ark to Jerusalem ( 2Samuel 6:1 – 23)

The Lord allowed His Ark to be brought into the City of David, choosing Jerusalem as His dwelling place after the Ark’s long exile.

👉 Read 2Samuel 6:1 - 23

Q1. David assembled chosen ( ) men and went to Baalah to bring up the ark of God, who is called by the name of ( ), who is ( ) between the cherubim on the ark. They loaded the ark on ( ) and carried it from ( )’s house. David and all Israel were rejoicing and celebrating with many ( ).

David assembled chosen (30000) men and went to Baalah to bring up the ark of God, who is called by the name of (the Lord of Heaven’s Armies), who is (enthroned) between the cherubim on the ark. They loaded the ark on (a new cart) and carried it from (Abinadab)’s house. David and all Israel were rejoicing and celebrating with many (instruments).

David made every effort to prepare and showed great courtesy and reverence for the Lord. However, sincerity and good intentions do not justify ignorance or disobedience. For the Ark was appointed to be carried solely on the shoulders of the Kohathites, a clan of the Levites.

Q2. What is the meaning of Perez-Uzzah? (v7-8, compare with 5:20)

It signifies God’s outburst against Uzzah. In 2 Samuel 5:20, we saw God break out against Israel’s enemies; here, His outburst is directed against His own people. This mirrors the events in 1 Samuel 5 and 6, where God struck not only the Philistines but also the people of Beth-shemesh for treating the Ark with presumption.

When the Ark first arrived at Abinadab’s house in Kiriath-Jearim, he appointed his son Eleazar to guard it. Although they were not Levites, they treated the Ark with special care out of reverence and fear. Yet, over 70-100 years that the Ark stayed in their house, their understanding did not grow. They continued to treat it like a sacred object similar to pagan idols, unaware that it was to be carried only by Levites, not transported on a cart. This ignorance ultimately led to a tragic end to their long guardianship of the Ark.

Q3. David was afraid of the Lord and left it in the house of (      ). After three months, when he heard that the Lord (      ) the house of Obed-Edom, he went and joyfully brought the ark of God to the (      ). He wore (       ) and danced joyfully as he brought up the Lord’s ark.

David was afraid of the Lord and left it in the house of ( Obed-Edom ). After three months, when he heard that the Lord ( blessed ) the house of Obed-Edom, he went and joyfully brought the ark of God to the ( City of David ). He wore ( a linen ephod ) and danced joyfully as he brought up the Lord’s ark.

Obed-Edom was a Levites. (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21, 24)

Q4. What did David do after he had brought the ark? (Three deeds, v17-v19)

1. He placed the ark in the tent that he had pitched for it. (The Tabernacle was likely at Gibeon.)

2. He offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings.

3. He pronounced a blessing over the people in the name of the Lord.

(These actions suggest that David behaved like a priest, as he wore a linen ephod when the ark was brought up.)

Here, together with his wearing a linen ephod, David performed a priestly task. Did David break the law concerning the priesthood? I'd rather say that the Lord granted it. 

Q5. Why did Michal have no children? 

Michal despised David’s joyful and unrestrained dancing before the Ark, seeing it as a disgraceful sacrifice of royal dignity. In response, David rebuked her sharply.

Michal failed to understand the spiritual significance and blessing of the Ark’s return. As a result, she was excluded from sharing the Lord’s blessing within the house of David.

This picture illustrates how the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were relocated during the time of the Judges and the early monarchy. During the Judges period, the Tabernacle was located at Shiloh, where it remained until the priestly city was likely destroyed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 5). From that point until Solomon built the temple, the Ark was separated from the Tabernacle: after its return from the Philistines, it stayed in the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim for approximately 70 to 100 years, and then in the house of Obed-Edom for three months before David brought it to a tent in the City of David.

While the Ark moved independently, the Tabernacle was relocated to Nob by the remaining descendants of Eli. However, it was moved again after King Saul ordered the massacre of 85 priests from Eli’s line. Following that, the Tabernacle was transferred to Gibeon, where it remained until the Temple of Solomon was constructed in Jerusalem.

The incidents of the Philistine plagues (1 Samuel 5), the judgment at Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6), and the outbreak against Uzzah (2 Samuel 6) all demonstrate that it is the Lord who chooses where His Ark—and thus His presence—should dwell. That is why David rejoiced greatly when the Ark was finally brought into the City of David. It signified that the Lord had chosen David.

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)