61 And David gathered again every chosen one in Israel, thirty thousand, 2 and David riseth and goeth, and all the people who 'are' with him, from Baale-Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God, whose name hath been called—the name of Jehovah of Hosts, inhabiting the cherubs—upon it. 3 And they cause the ark of God to ride on a new cart, and lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which 'is' in the height, and Uzzah and Ahio sons of Abinadab are leading the new cart; 4 and they lift it up from the house of Abinadab, which 'is' in the height, with the ark of God, and Ahio is going before the ark, 5 and David and all the house of Israel are playing before Jehovah, with all kinds of 'instruments' of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cornets, and with cymbals.
6 And they come unto the threshing-floor of Nachon, and Uzzah putteth forth 'his hand' unto the ark of God, and layeth hold on it, for they released the oxen; 7 and the anger of Jehovah burneth against Uzzah, and God smiteth him there for the error, and he dieth there by the ark of God. 8 And it is displeasing to David, because that Jehovah hath broken forth a breach upon Uzzah, and 'one' calleth that place Perez-Uzzah, unto this day; 9 and David feareth Jehovah on that day, and saith, 'How doth the ark of Jehovah come in unto me?' 10 And David hath not been willing to turn aside unto himself the ark of Jehovah, to the city of David, and David turneth it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, 11 and the ark of Jehovah doth inhabit the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months, and Jehovah blesseth Obed-Edom and all his house.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:1-11
Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:1-5
(Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5)
God is present with the souls of his people, when they want the outward tokens of his presence; but now David is settled in the throne, the honour of the ark begins to revive. Let us learn hence, to think and to speak highly of God; and to think and speak honourably of holy ordinances, which are to us as the ark was unto Israel, the tokens of God's presence, Matthew 28:20. Christ is our Ark; in and by him God manifests his favour, and accepts our prayers and praises. The ark especially typified Christ and his mediation, in which the name of Jehovah and all his glories are displayed. The priests should have carried the ark upon their shoulders. Philistines may carry the ark in a cart without suffering for it; but if Israelites do so, it is at their peril, because this was not what God appointed.
Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:6-11
(Read 2 Samuel 6:6-11)
Uzzah was struck dead for touching the ark. God saw presumption and irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Familiarity, even with that which is most awful, is apt to breed contempt. If it were so great a crime for one to lay hold on the ark of the covenant who had no right to do so, what is it for those to lay claim to the privileges of the covenant that come not up to the terms of it? Obed-edom opened his doors without fear, knowing the ark was a savour of death unto death to those only who treated it wrong. The same hand that punished Uzzah's proud presumption, rewarded Obed-edom's humble boldness. Let none think the worse of the gospel for the judgments on those that reject it, but consider the blessings it brings to all who receive it. Let masters of families be encouraged to keep up religion in their families. It is good to live in a family that entertains the ark, for all about it will fare the better.