Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God kills Uzzah for touching the ark. David transfers the ark to Jerusalem amidst a spectacular celebration. After rebuking David for his foolish dancing, Michal is punished with barrenness.
II. Photo
David dances with zeal: “As the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord.” (v. 16a)
III. Important Verses
2: Then David and all the troops that were with him set out from Baalim of Judah to bring up from there the Ark of God to which the Name was attached, the name LORD of Hosts Enthroned on the Cherubim.
5: Meanwhile, David and all the House of Israel danced before the LORD to [the sound of] all kinds of cypress wood [instruments], with lyres, harps, timbrels, sistrums, and cymbals.
6-7: But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out for the Ark of God and grasped it, for the oxen had stumbled. The LORD was incensed at Uzzah. And God struck him down on the spot for his indiscretion, and he died there beside the Ark of God.
13-15: When the bearers of the Ark of the LORD had moved forward six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David whirled with all his might before the LORD; David was girt with a linen ephod. Thus David and all the House of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts and with blasts of the horn.
18-19: When David finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts. And he distributed among all the people — the entire multitude of Israel, man and woman alike — to each a loaf of bread, a cake made in a pan, and a raisin cake. Then all the people left for their homes.
20-23: David went home to greet his household. And Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “Didn’t the king of Israel do himself honor today — exposing himself today in the sight of the slavegirls of his subjects, as one of the riffraff might expose himself!” David answered Michal, “It was before the LORD who chose me instead of your father and all his family and appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel! I will dance before the LORD and dishonor myself even more, and be low in my own esteem; but among the slavegirls that you speak of I will be honored.” So to her dying day Michal daughter of Saul had no children.
IV. Outline
1-2. David gathers the people to transfer the ark
3-5. Dancing in front of the ark
6-7. God strikes Uzzah for touching the ark
8. Etiological note: the name Perez-uzzah
9-11. The ark is housed with Obed-edom
12-15. The ark is brought to Jerusalem with joy
16. Michal’s discontent
17-19a. Sacrifice, blessings, and gifts
19b. The people return home
20. Michal’s rebuke
21-22. David’s retort
23. Michal’s punishment
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Anderson, A. A. “2 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 11 (Waco Texas: Wordbooks, 1989).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://www.photozo.com/album/data/6269/break_dance_2.jpg
