Keraia
2 Samuel 6

2 Samuel 6:14

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem · 2 Samuel 6:12–15
Read 2 Samuel 6

Translations

Modern
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
Traditional
And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
Literal
And David danced with all his might before the face of YHWH, and David was wearing a linen ephod.
Latin
…et David saltabat totis viribus ante Dominum: porro David erat accinctus ephod lineo.

Original

Hebrew
English
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,

Notes

2 Samuel 6:14

linen ephod: This word comes from the Hebrew ’epod, often written as ephod. It is related to an Akkadian word, epattu, which means “a costly garment.” The ephod was often decorated with gold. People used garments like this to clothe statues of gods. Because priests and sometimes kings were seen as sacred persons (set apart for God), they wore garments of this type (see 1 Samuel 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18; 23:6, 9).

2 Samuel 6:1–23

Except for a brief reference in 1 Samuel 14:18 (see note), the ark of the covenant does not appear again after 1 Samuel 7:1–2. In that passage, the Philistines returned the captured ark to Beth-shemesh, and it was later taken to Kiriath-jearim. There, the ark was placed in the home of Abinadab.

The ark’s long absence during the reign of Saul is significant. It shows that Saul did not seek the Lord and was spiritually insensitive (see 1 Chronicles 10:13–14; 13:3). During Saul’s forty-year reign, the ark played little or no role in Israel’s worship or leadership.

In contrast, David brought the ark to Jerusalem. By doing this, David publicly acknowledged the Lord as Israel’s true king in the new capital (see 2 Samuel 6:2). The ark’s arrival showed that Israel’s political center was now also a place of worship.

Theme notes and profiles

David Celebration The Ark of the Covenant

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 15:1–28

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Ark of the Covenant David Ephod (Garment) Jerusalem Judah, Tribe of Kiriath-jearim Music Praise Samuel, Books of First and Second Temple

Topics

Ark of the Covenant: Brought Into the City of David Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Jerusalem Dance Dancing: General Scriptures Concerning David: After Three Months, David Brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with Dancing and Great Joy David: King of Israel: Devoutness of Ephod: A Sacred Vestment Worn by the High Priest: Worn by David Jerusalem: The Ark of the Covenant Brought To, by David The Ephod: Worn by Generally of Linen The Ephod: Worn by Persons Engaged in the Service of God