2 Samuel 6:12

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, 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 Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֻּגַּ֗ד And it was told H5046
וַיֻּגַּ֗ד And it was told
Strong's: H5046
Word #: 1 of 29
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ king H4428
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 2 of 29
a king
דָּוִ֖ד David H1732
דָּוִ֖ד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 3 of 29
david, the youngest son of jesse
לֵאמֹר֒ saying H559
לֵאמֹר֒ saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 4 of 29
to say (used with great latitude)
בֵּרַ֣ךְ hath blessed H1288
בֵּרַ֣ךְ hath blessed
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 5 of 29
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֗ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִבֵּ֨ית from the house H1004
מִבֵּ֨ית from the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 8 of 29
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עֹבֵ֤ד H0
עֹבֵ֤ד
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 29
אֱדֹ֛ם of Obededom H5654
אֱדֹ֛ם of Obededom
Strong's: H5654
Word #: 10 of 29
obed-edom, the name of five israelites
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
ל֔וֹ H0
ל֔וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 29
בַּֽעֲב֖וּר H5668
בַּֽעֲב֖וּר
Strong's: H5668
Word #: 15 of 29
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
אֲר֨וֹן and all that pertaineth unto him because of the ark H727
אֲר֨וֹן and all that pertaineth unto him because of the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 16 of 29
a box
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 17 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 18 of 29
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דָּוִ֖ד David H1732
דָּוִ֖ד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 19 of 29
david, the youngest son of jesse
וַיַּעַל֩ and brought up H5927
וַיַּעַל֩ and brought up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 20 of 29
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 21 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲר֨וֹן and all that pertaineth unto him because of the ark H727
אֲר֨וֹן and all that pertaineth unto him because of the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 22 of 29
a box
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 23 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מִבֵּ֨ית from the house H1004
מִבֵּ֨ית from the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 24 of 29
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עֹבֵ֥ד H0
עֹבֵ֥ד
Strong's: H0
Word #: 25 of 29
אֱדֹ֛ם of Obededom H5654
אֱדֹ֛ם of Obededom
Strong's: H5654
Word #: 26 of 29
obed-edom, the name of five israelites
עִ֥יר into the city H5892
עִ֥יר into the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 27 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
דָּוִ֖ד David H1732
דָּוִ֖ד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 28 of 29
david, the youngest son of jesse
בְּשִׂמְחָֽה׃ with gladness H8057
בְּשִׂמְחָֽה׃ with gladness
Strong's: H8057
Word #: 29 of 29
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

Analysis & Commentary

And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, 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 Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Ark Brought to Jerusalem, emphasizing reverence in worship, God's holiness. The ark's journey to Jerusalem emphasizes God's transcendent holiness and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms. Uzzah's death for touching the ark (though apparently well-intentioned) teaches that sincerity doesn't override obedience. David's dancing demonstrates appropriate joy in worship. Michal's contempt reveals heart attitudes toward genuine worship. The Hebrew qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ, 'holiness') dominates this chapter.

Historical Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 6 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding reverence in worship, God's holiness provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources