2 Samuel 6:15

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 6:15. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark — Undoubtedly this was as solemn and magnificent a procession as can be imagined. The order of it is set forth Psalm 68:25, The singers went before, the players upon instruments after, in the midst (that is, between both) the damsels playing with timbrels; then followed, in all likelihood, the several tribes with their princes, elders, &c.; for this seems to be the meaning of that expression, (Psalm 68:27,) The princes of Judah and their council. This whole company, with David at the head of them, sung alternately the twenty-fourth Psalm, which was composed for this occasion; which is so noble a composition that scarce any reader can fail to be struck with the beauty and sublimity of it, and its propriety for the occasion.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:12-19 It became evident, that happy was the man who had the ark near him. Christ is indeed a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, to those that are disobedient; but to those that believe, he is a Corner-stone, elect, precious, 1Pe 2:6-8. Let us be religious. Is the ark a blessing to others' houses? We may have it, and the blessing of it, without fetching it away from our neighbours. David, at first setting out, offered sacrifices to God. We are likely to speed in our enterprises, when we begin with God, and give diligence to seek peace with him. And we are so unworthy, and our services are so defiled, that all our joy in God must be connected with repentance and faith in the Redeemer's atoning blood. David attended with high expressions of joy. We ought to serve God with our whole body and soul, and with every endowment and power we possess. On this occasion David laid aside his royal robes, and put on a plain linen dress. David prayed with and for the people, and as a prophet, solemnly blessed them in the name of the Lord.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Danced - The Hebrew word is found only here and in 2 Samuel 6:16. It means "to dance in a circle," hence, simply to dance. The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 15:27 gives a widely different sense.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. David danced before the Lord—The Hebrews, like other ancient people, had their sacred dances, which were performed on their solemn anniversaries and other great occasions of commemorating some special token of the divine goodness and favor.

with all his might—intimating violent efforts of leaping, and divested of his royal mantle (in a state of undress), conduct apparently unsuitable to the gravity of age or the dignity of a king. But it was unquestionably done as an act of religious homage, his attitudes and dress being symbolic, as they have always been in Oriental countries, of penitence, joy, thankfulness, and devotion. [See on [265]1Ch 15:27.]

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord,.... The elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, 1 Chronicles 15:25; besides the common people; there might be as large a number with him now as before:

with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet; with the shouts of the people in common, and with blowing of trumpets by those who were appointed for that purpose, and with other instruments of music, see 1 Chronicles 15:27; Josephus says (r), that seven choirs went before the priests bearing the ark, as the king commanded, he himself playing on the harp; so the Septuagint version.

(r) Antiqu. l. 7. c. 4. sect. 2.

Geneva Study Bible

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

2 Samuel 6:15

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

"And David danced with all his might before the Lord (i.e., before the ark), and was girded with a white ephod (shoulder-dress)." Dancing, as an expression of holy enthusiasm, was a customary thing from time immemorial: we meet with it as early as at the festival of thanksgiving at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20); but there, and also at subsequent celebrations of the different victories gained by the Israelites, none but women are described as taking part in it (Judges 11:34; Judges 21:19; 1 Samuel 18:6). The white ephod was, strictly speaking, a priestly costume, although in the law it is not prescribed as the dress to be worn by them when performing their official duties, but rather as the dress which denoted the priestly character of the wearer (see at 1 Samuel 22:18); and for this reason it was worn by David in connection with these festivities in honour of the Lord, as the head of the priestly nation of Israel (see at 1 Samuel 2:18). In 2 Samuel 6:15 it is still further related, that David and all the house (nation) of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with jubilee and trumpet-blast. תּרוּעה is used here to signify the song of jubilee and the joyous shouting of the people. In the Chronicles (1 Chronicles 15:28) the musical instruments played on the occasion are also severally mentioned.