2 Samuel – Chapter 6

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand." — so begins 2 Samuel 6. The chapter centers on David and Saul. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2And David arose and went, with all the people that were with him of the men of Juda to fetch the ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is invoked, who sitteth over it upon the cherubims.

3And they laid the ark of God upon a new cart: and took it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, and Oza and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.

4And when they had taken it out of the house of Abinadab, who was in Gabaa, Ahio having care of the ark of God went before the ark.

5But David and all Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of wood, on harps and lutes and timbrels and cornets and cymbals.

6And when they came to the floor of Nachon, Oza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: because the oxen kicked and made it lean aside.

7And the indignation of the Lord was enkindled against Oza, and he struck him for his rashness: and he died there before the ark of God.

8And David was grieved because the Lord had struck Oza, and the name of that place was called: The striking of Oza, to this day.

9And David was afraid of the Lord that day, saying: How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?

10And he would not have the ark of the Lord brought in to himself into the city of David: but he caused it to be carried into the house of Obededom the Gethite.

11And the ark of the Lord abode in the house of Obededom the Gethite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.

12And it was told king David, that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that he had, because of the ark of God. So David went, and brought away the ark of God out of the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims.

13And when they that carried the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed and ox and a ram:

14And David danced with all his might before the Lord: and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15And David and all the louse of Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and with sound of trumpet.

16And when the ark of the Lord was come into the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord: and she despised him in her heart.

17And they brought the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it: and David offered holocausts, and peace offerings before the Lord.

18And when he had made an end of offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

19And he distributed to all the multitude of Israel, both men and women, to every one, a cake of bread, and a piece of roasted beef, and fine flour fried with oil: and all the people departed every one to his own house.

20And David returned to bless his own house: and Michol the daughter of Saul coming out to meet David, said: How glorious was the king of Israel to day, uncovering himself before the handmaids of his servants, and was naked, as if one of the buffoons should be naked.

21And David said to Michol: Before the Lord, who chose me rather than thy father, and than all his house, and commanded me to be ruler over the people of the Lord in Israel,

22I will both play and make myself meaner than I have done: and I will be little in my own eyes: and with the handmaids of whom thou speakest, I shall appear more glorious.

23Therefore Michol the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

Important Verses in 2 Samuel 6

And David arose and went, with all the people that were with him of the men of Juda to fetch the ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is invoked, who sitteth over it upon the cherubims.

2 Samuel 6:2

And the indignation of the Lord was enkindled against Oza, and he struck him for his rashness: and he died there before the ark of God.

2 Samuel 6:7

And David and all the louse of Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and with sound of trumpet.

2 Samuel 6:15

And when he had made an end of offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

2 Samuel 6:18

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Samuel was written with israel, taught that even great kings stand under God's law and mercy in view. Chapter 6 of 24 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on David and Saul, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand." The chapter ends with: "Therefore Michol the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. " Read against its original backdrop, Second Samuel chronicles David's forty-year reign: the capture of Jerusalem, the bringing of the Ark, God's covenant promise of an everlasting dynasty (2 Sam 7), and David's grave sins and repentance. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Who Wrote It

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad

When It Was Written

Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of 2 Samuel 6 presents a concrete episode in the history of David's reign and the Davidic covenant. A pivotal line is verse 2: "And David arose and went, with all the people that were with him of the men of Juda to fetch the ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Samuel 6 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the promise to David finds fulfillment in Christ, Son of David (CIC 437-439). St. Athanasius and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 958).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

David20 mentionsSaul3 mentions

Reflection for Today

The early section of 2 Samuel—Chapter 6 of 24—opens a particular moment in the story of David's reign and the Davidic covenant.

According to Catholic teaching, the promise to David finds fulfillment in Christ, Son of David (CIC 437-439). This chapter especially highlights the role of the sacraments in sanctification, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1814).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 2215) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Samuel Chapter 6 about?

2 Samuel 6 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand." and closes with "Therefore Michol the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Samuel 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "And David arose and went, with all the people that were with him of the men of Juda to fetch the ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is invoked, who sitteth over…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Samuel Chapter 6?

This chapter mentions David, Saul.

Who wrote 2 Samuel and when?

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad. Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

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