INTRODUCTION: David’s first major order of business as king of Israel is to bring the ark to its rightful home. His intentions are noble, but his methods are unscriptural. A time of great joy quickly turns to a time of displeasure. Yet, the Lord is longsuffering and in the end the people are able to bring the ark to Jerusalem.

1. THE ARK ON A NEW CART (2 Samuel 6:1-5 [1] Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. [2] And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. [3] And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. [4] And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. [5] And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
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1. David Gathers the Chosen Men (2 Samuel 6:1Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
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2. David Fetches the Ark (2 Samuel 6:2-4 [2] And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. [3] And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. [4] And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
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1. David and the people with him go to fetch the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
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2. They set the ark of God upon a new cart (2 Samuel 6:3And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
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1. They learned this method from the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:7-9 [7] Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: [8] And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. [9] And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.
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2. The ark was to be transported upon the shoulders of Levites using staves (Exodus 25:14-15 [14] And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. [15] The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 10:8At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
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3. They bring the ark out of the house of Abinadab (2 Samuel 6:4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
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3. The House of Israel Plays before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:5And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
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1. David and the house of Israel play before the Lord.
2. All instruments are made of fir wood.
2. THE DEATH OF UZZAH (2 Samuel 6:6-11 [6] And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. [7] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. [8] And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. [9] And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? [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. [11] And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
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1. The Anger of the Lord Is Kindled (2 Samuel 6:6-7 [6] And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. [7] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
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1. Uzzah puts forth his hand to stop the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:6And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
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1. The ark comes upon Nachon’s threshingfloor.
2. The oxen shake the ark.
3. Uzzah touches the ark in order to keep it from falling.
2. The Lord smites Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
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1. The anger of the Lord is kindled against Uzzah.
2. God smites him for his error.
3. He dies by the ark of God.
2. David Is Displeased (2 Samuel 6:8-9 [8] And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. [9] And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
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1. David is displeased (2 Samuel 6:8And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
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1. Because the Lord has made a breach upon Uzzah
2. He calls the name of the place Perez-uzzah meaning the breach of Uzzah .
2. David is afraid of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
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1. The events of Uzzah’s death cause David to fear the Lord.
2. David now asks the question that he should have asked from the very beginning – “How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?”
3. The Ark Is Taken to the House of Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:10-11 [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. [11] And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
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1. David carries the ark aside to the house of Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:10So 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.
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2. The ark remains in the house of Obed-edom for three months (2 Samuel 6:11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
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3. The Lord blesses Obed-edom and his household (2 Samuel 6:11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
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3. THE ARK CARRIED BY THE LEVITES (2 Samuel 6:12-15 [12] And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. [13] And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. [14] And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. [15] So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
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1. David Returns to Take the Ark (2 Samuel 6:12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
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1. David receives news of God’s blessings upon Obed-edom.
2. David goes up and brings the ark into the city of David.
2. The Levites Carry the Ark (1 Chronicles 15:1-2 [1] And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. [2] Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
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1. David declares that none ought to carry the ark but the Levites (1 Chronicles 15:1-2 [1] And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. [2] Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
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2. The Levites sanctify themselves to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 15:11-15 [11] And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, [12] And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. [13] For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. [14] So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. [15] And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
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3. The Ark Returns with Worship (2 Samuel 6:13-15 [13] And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. [14] And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. [15] So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
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1. They offer sacrifices to the Lord (2 Samuel 6:13And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
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2. David dances before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
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3. The people shout (2 Samuel 6:15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
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4. The ark returns with the sound of the trumpet (2 Samuel 6:15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
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4. THE ARK BROUGHT INTO JERUSALEM (2 Samuel 6:16-19 [16] And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. [17] And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. [18] And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. [19] And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
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1. Michal Despises David in Her Heart (2 Samuel 6:16And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
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1. Michal sees David leaping and dancing before the Lord.
2. She despises him in her heart.
2. The Ark Is Set in His Place (2 Samuel 6:17-19 [17] And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. [18] And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. [19] And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
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1. The ark is set in the midst of the tabernacle David pitched (2 Samuel 6:17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
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2. David offers burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
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3. David blesses the people in the name of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
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4. David deals food and drink to all present (2 Samuel 6:19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
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1. A cake of bread
2. A good piece of flesh
3. A flagon of wine
5. The people depart to their homes (2 Samuel 6:19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
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5. THE ANGER AND JUDGMENT OF MICHAL (2 Samuel 6:20-23 [20] Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! [21] And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. [22] And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. [23] Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
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1. Michal’s Accusations against David (2 Samuel 6:20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
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1. David returns to bless his household.
2. Michal comes out to meet him.
3. Michal makes accusations against David.
1. She accuses him of behaving foolishly.
2. She accuses him of uncovering himself before the handmaids.
3. Note: This is the section of Scripture used by many to suggest that David dances naked before the Lord. There are several problems with this:
1. The Bible plainly tells us that David has clothes on (2 Samuel 6:14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
   See All...; 1 Chronicles 15:27And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
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2. These accusations are coming from a woman who is judged by God and dies childless (2 Samuel 6:23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
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3. The accusation of being uncovered is based on the fact that David is not wearing kingly garments, but is rather adorned in garments similar to that of a priest.
2. David’s Rebuke of Michal (2 Samuel 6:21-22 [21] And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. [22] And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
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1. David’s actions were before the Lord and His people (2 Samuel 6:21And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
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2. David’s humility and honour (2 Samuel 6:22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
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1. He will be base in his own sight.
2. He will have honour in the sight of the maidservants.
3. The Lord’s Judgment of Michal (2 Samuel 6:23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
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1. Michal has no child unto the day of her death.
2. This is seen as the judgment of God (Leviticus 20:20And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
   See All..., 21; Jeremiah 22:30Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
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CONCLUSION: David is not a perfect man, but he is God’s man. He fails to bring the ark up on the first attempt, but makes it right and is able to deliver the ark of God to the city of Jerusalem.