2 Samuel 6

2 Samuel 6 1

My Notes Authors Matthew Henry - Commentary on the Whole Bible We have not heard a word of the ark since it was lodged in Kirjath-jearim, immediately after its return out of its captivity among the Philistines (1 Sam. vii. 1, 2), except that, once, Saul called for it, 1 Sam. xiv. 18. That which in former days had made so great a figure is now thrown aside, as a neglected thing, for many years. And, if now the ark was for so many years in a house, let it not seem strange that we find the church so long in the wilderness, Rev. xii. 14. Perpetual visibility is no mark of the true church. God is graciously present with the souls of his people even when they want the external tokens of his presence. But now that David is settled in the throne the honour of the ark begins to revive, and Israel’s care of it to flourish again, wherein also, no doubt, the good people among them had been careful, but they lacked opportunity. See Phil. iv. 10.

2 Samuel 6 12

My Notes Authors Matthew Henry - Commentary on the Whole Bible We have here the second attempt to bring the ark home to the city of David; and this succeeded, though the former miscarried. I. It should seem the blessing with which the house of Obed-edom was blessed for the ark’s sake was a great inducement to David to bring it forward; for when that was told him (v. 12) he hastened to fetch it to him. For, 1. It was an evidence that God was reconciled to them, and his anger was turned away. As David could read God’s frowns upon them all in Uzzah’s stroke, so he could read God’s favour to them all in Obed-edom’s prosperity; and, if God be at peace with them, they can cheerfully go on with their design. 2. It was an evidence that the ark was not such a burdensome stone as it was taken to be, but, on the contrary, happy was the man that had it near him. Christ is indeed a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to those that are disobedient; but to those who believe he is a _corner-stone, elect, precious, _1 Pet. ii. 6-8. When David heard that Obed-edom had such joy of the ark, then he would have it in his own city. Note, The experience others have had of the gains of godliness should encourage us to be religious. Is the ark a blessing to others’ houses? let us bid it welcome to ours; we may have it, and the blessing of it, without fetching it from our neighbours.

2 Samuel 6 20

My Notes Authors Matthew Henry - Commentary on the Whole Bible David, having dismissed the congregation with a blessing, returned to bless his household (v. 20), that is, to pray with them and for them, and to offer up his family thanksgiving for this national mercy. Ministers must not think that their public performances will excuse them from their family-worship; but when they have, with their instructions and prayers, blessed the solemn assemblies, they must return in the same manner to bless their households, for with them they are in a particular manner charged. David, though he had prophets, and priests, and Levites, about him, to be his chaplains, yet did not devolve the work upon them, but himself blessed his household. It is angels’ work to worship God, and therefore surely that can be no disparagement to the greatest of men.

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