Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 2 Samuel · Chapter 6

Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4 · Biblical commentary 1 · 2 Samuel · Chapter 6

p. 380CHAP. VI.

DAVID having assembled together 30000 chosen men of Israel goeth V. 1, 2.with them to fetch the Arke of God from Kireathjearim, to the City of David, &c. The history is set forth 1 Chr: 13. before his two victories over 1 Chron: 13. 1.the Philistims, for they follow ch. 14. and it is there more full, he consulted first with the Captaines of thousands and hundreths, and with every leader, and then spake to all the Congregation, about the bringing of the Arke from Baalah, which is Kireathjearim in Judah, but here it is said onelyonly, that they went to bring it from Baal of Judah, and v: 4. they brought it from the house of Abinadab in Gibeah, which was another name of the same place, or may be taken appellatively, as it is by Junius, rendering it the hill, and there also David is brought in saying, that they enquired not at the Arke in the dayes of Sanl, which is here omitted. But betwixt that relation and this there may seeme to bee a manifest difference, because here onelyonly 30000, who were all the chosen men of Israel were assembled to conduct the Arke with honour, there all Israel from Sihor of Aegypt even to the entring in of Hamath, v: 5. that is, from the uttermost part of the land from the South to the North. But this is easily reconciled: for at the first 30000 onelyonly were assembled of the chiefe, then all the rest, to call whom together messengers were sent out into all parts. And for the difference in the time, happily so soone as the Jebusites were expelled out of the strong sort of Sion, he entered into consultation with his Commanders about this bringing of the Arke up thither, and it being agreed upon, that after preparation made for it, viz: a Tabernacle built to place it in, of which see, v: 17. those warres with the Philistims might happen in the meane season, and so soone as they were ended, according to this history, these things were done, but consulted about before, according to 1 Chr: 13. for which cause, that consultation being mentioned, that which followed is also there related together by anticipation. By this care, which David had about the Peter Martyr.Arke, so soone as he had gotten the place, which he knew by the Spirit, that the Lord would choose to set it in, his great piety appeared, farre beyond that Note. of Saul, who set his minde upon no such matter, that all Kings might learne by his example; and in that hee would not doe this without the advise of his Lords, the set downe a right way of proceeding in matters of Religion, viz: the councell of all the States of the Land being herein used, contrary to which is the manner of the proceeding of the Church of Rome, which excludeth Emperours and Kings and Princes from being of the Councell, or being such, as that their consent is necessary to the constitutions made therein.

In speaking of the Arke he calleth it the Arke of God, whose name is called by V. 2.the name of the Lord of hoasts, that dwelleth betweene the Cherubims, 1 Chron. 13. 6. the Arke of God the Lord, who dwelleth betweene the Cherubims, whose name is called on it, thus our new translation: But the Vulgar Latin more agreeably to the Hebrew, upon which the name of the Lord of Hoasts, who sitteth betweene p. 381…he Cherubims, is called. For thus the Hebrew, upon which the name, the name of tthe Lord, &c. and thus there is no difference from that, 1 Chr: 13. 6. and the meaning is, according to Martyr, that the Arke was called by the name of the Lord, because it was an holy sacrament or signe representing the Lord, see Peter Martyr.the like saying, Josh: 3. 11. the Arke of the Covenant, the Lord of the whole earth, so likewise saith he, the Altar set up Gen: 17. is called by the name of God, and Gedeons Altar, and Hierusalem, Ezek: 18. August: ad Bonifacium Epistola, saith, that sacraments doe commonly beare the name of the thing represented hereby. Cyprian Serm: de caena Domini, the same name is common to the signes and to the thing signifyed. Cyril: lib: 4. in Johan: cap: 10. the fathers did eate Christ when they eate Manna, which was so called, and Theodoret and other Fathers speake to the same effect, which maketh against them, that will have no trope in these words, this is my body.

And they set the Arke of God upon a new cart, &c. Thus the Philistims had V. 3.sent the Arke home before, 1 Sam: 6. wherefore it displeased God, that his people should doe after the manner of those heathens, and not carry it upon mens shoulders, as was appointed by his law, and therefore he smote Ʋzzah Numb: 4. 15. 7. 9. Lyra.that he dyed, when the Arke being shaken he put forth his hand to touch it. For the Hebrewes doe generally hold, that not his touching of the Arke was the cause of this judgement, but the manner of carrying it. Whereas it may seeme otherwise, because he was not smitten, till he touched it, it is answered, that then first the errour appeared in setting it upon a cart to bee drawne, when it was shaken, which had not happened, if it had beene carryed upon mens shoulders. If it be further objected, then Ahio one of the guides of the cart should have beene smitten as well as his brother Ʋzzah. Answ: Ʋzzah was the principall that would have it thus carryed, and therefore he onelyonly was made an example, thus Lyra. Jerom in tradit: in Paralip: saith, that Abinadab bade Ʋzzah carry the Arke, but hee despising his command set it upon a cart. Comestor saith, that the Hebrewes affirme, that he lay with his wife Schol. Histor.the night before. Josephus, that he was smitten because he touched the Arke being no Priest: but Comestor, that when hee touched the Arke, his arme withered, wherewith hee should have carried it, and so hee dyed. Peter Martyr P. Martyr.also speaketh of this, as the cause, why Ʋzzah was smitten, and hee applyeth An allegory.it allegorically to the Church, which the Bishops should beare, as it were, upon their owne shoulders, whereas they contrariwise cause it to be carryed by substitutes, who are many of them, as stupid and ignorant, and sensuall, as brute beasts, they themselves in the meane season living in idlenesse and pleasure, but God will surely judge them also therefore, and not onelyonly them, but all others that eate the fat of the flocke by getting the best benefices, but expose the Arke of Christs Church to danger, by committing it to weake and vicious curates. Hugo indeed, because he was a Bishop, applyeth it otherwise, by the Arke understanding a Bishop, being as that, all golden within, which Hugo Card.is when hee is without all scruple of conscience, and without, when hee is without scandall of life: againe the Bishop should have within him, as the Arke, the Tables of the law, and Deuteronomy, which is, when hee hath the knowledge of the old and new Testament, the rodde of Aaron, by modest, discreet and profitable discipline, and the pot of manna, that is, consolation. This Arke is drawne in a cart, when the Bishop is provoked to wrath by the murmurings of his subjects, and Ʋzzah stretcheth out his hand unto it, when any of the Bishops subjects proudly reproveth him, who is not, as Gregory saith, to be smitten with the sword of the mouth, no not when he doth things worthy of reproofe; but this favours of the pride of Rome, Et si Papa innumeras animas seeum in gehennam trahat, nemo audeat dicere, Domine Papa cur ita facis? Lyra Lyra.recounteth also another opinion of some, that Ʋzzah was smitten, because hee touched the bare Arke with his hand, but this he sheweth is improbable, seeing the Arke was never wont to bee carryed, but being first wrapped about with cloathes by the Priests. I rest in the first, which is the more confirmed because v: 13. it is the next time carryed by men, 1 Chr. 15. 15. And here I cannot omit p. 382another allegory of the Ord: Gloss: holding, that the Arke was a figure Glos: Ord. The Allegory of Abinadab.of the Church, the abiding thereof in private in Abinadabs house a long time setteth forth the true faith and Church being long within the family of Abraham, and this was the same faith of the Church, which is now preached, being then embraced by the followers of Abraham; and it was in an hill, because of the high example of vertue given by those beleevers. But when David, that is, Christ, came to raigne under the Gospel, it was brought forth with great joy by 30000 chosen, setting forth the elect amongst the Jewes, but afterwards they shall all come to the Arke of faith, and so all Israel accompanieth it, to set forth which also, the Arke had two bringings out, 1. to the house of Obed Edom, 2. sometime being interposed to the City of David. The musicke with divers sorts of instruments made before the Arke, when it was carryed out upon a new cart, figured out the divers graces of the Spirit given to divers when the faith was first published, a new right of baptizing being instituted, filling them with wonderfull joy: the comming of it to the threshing floore of Nahor, that is, prepared, where the Oxen shaking it, Ʋzzah put forth his hand, &c. the Churches going forward by increasing, untill it came to the Gentiles, who were as a floore purged, according to that, hee shall throughly purge his floore, at what time the preachers of the Gospell shaked the arke by speaking freely against the rites of the Law, as Circumcision, Sabbaths keeping &c. expounding all mystically and spiritually, whereat the Jewes being offended, sought so eagerly to uphold them, that they fell into the judgement of infidelity to their owne destruction.

Gregory from the three examples of David humbling himselfe to play and dance before the Arke, Michal despising him proudly for so doing, and Ʋzzah Gregory.rashly putting forth his hand to the Arke, saith, that morally humility is commended, because humble David had soone after a promise of the perpetuity of his kingdom in Christ, that should come of him; pride is condemned, because Michal was punished with barrennesse; and rashnesse in putting forth the hand to receive the Lords body by the unworthy judged, Hic intuendum est, quantum delinquit, qui ad corpus domini reus a…c…dit, si ille morte mulctarur, qui arcam, corporis Domini figuram, minore, quam debuis veneratione corripuit.and such are they, that presume to come unprepared, because Ʋzzah was smitten with death for rashly touching the Arke, and the same is affirmed of unworthy receivers 1 Cor: 11. 30. Againe he applieth the fact and fall of Ʋzzah to such, as not understanding the actions and speeches of the learned, presume rashly to judge them, saying, oft times the doings and sayings of the better displease the worser, but they are not rashly to be reproved of them, which they cannot understand. For this is with Ʋzzah rashly to reach out the hand to the Arke seeming to Levites adjuvans manum …etendit sed de linquens vitam perdidit, quia dum infirmi fortium facta corriptunt, ab ipsa viventium forte reprobantur.him ready to fall, and so as he, thinking to helpe, lost his life, the infirme reprove the doings of the strong, and are cut off from the land of the living, for what is the minde of the just, but the Arke of the Testimony, seeing it is therein conteined? And thus onelyonly doth Gregory speake against a mans presuming to reprove the Bishop, when hee seemeth to him to erre, but indeed doth not. Upon this carrying of the Arke from place to place in state, the Papists ground their pompeous carrying about of the Hoast: for when the Pope, saith Martyr, goeth out of Rome, it is carryed in Peter Martyr.a pixe upon a most white horse, and on either side are men appointed with wax candles and bels, and the horse is so instructed, as that when hee is led to the Temple, he goeth up to the High Altar, and there kneeleth downe upon his knees, untill the Hoast bee taken off againe and there placed, intolerable idolatrous madnesse. For the Arke was by Gods commandement to be carryed in state, but the bread in the Sacrament onelyonly to be received and eaten, and not to be carryed about. Much honour indeed may seeme by this circumgestation, to bee given unto it, but it is besides the ordinance of our Lord, and therefore to bee condemned as well as this new device of Ʋzzah, to carry the Arke upon a new cart, which the Lord never appointed.

p. 383And when they came to the threshing floore of Nachon, 1 Chron. 13. 9. the threshing floore of Chidon, another name saith Junius and Lyra of the same thing: Martyr Junius. Lyra. Peter Martyr.thinketh, that it was so called because there Joshua had lifted up his speare, and Nachon, because there the Levites were prepared of God, and endued with new strength to carry the Arke, but these hee passes over as not worthy the standing upon, here the Oxen were disordered in their going, it being Gods will that it should bee so, to teach men their errours by the brute beasts, as Balaam was taught by his Asse. And hee saith, some of the Hebrewes thinke, that Vzzah was smitten, because hee beleeved not that God was able to uphold his owne Arke from falling without his helpe, but hee resteth upon these two causes, touching which an expresse charge is given, Numb. 4. 15. 1 For that they did not carry it upon their shoulders. 2 Because hee touched it, which was forbidden upon paine of death. And to carry it upon mens shoulders was commanded, lest if it were carried otherwise, it should sometime fall, and so a conceit come into the peoples mindes of impotency in God. How Vzzah was smitten, it is not said, some thinke with a Thunder-bolt, some as Jerom following Josephus, so as that his arme and shoulder withered. August. his breath being suddenly stopped, as by an Apoplexy. It is not to bee thought yet but that Vzzah was a good man, although he erred at this time, for even Note. the holy fathers of the Church have had their errors, that wee may take heed of following any man in every thing. The Pope applyed this once against the Emperour seeking by his edicts to reforme some things that were amisse in the Church, threatning him with destruction, as it befell Vzzah; but herein hee grosly erred, seeing Hezekiah, Josiah, Theodosius, Arcadius and Honorius, godly Kings and Emperours, did the like and were commended. Thus the Donatists, Aug. Contra, Donatistas.as August. sheweth tooke it ill, that their controversies should come to the knowledge of the civill Magistrate, but hee upon Psal. 2. Bee wise yee Kings, serve the Lord, &c. sheweth, that they cannot serve him better, or more, then by helping and restoring the Church of God.

Then David was angry, because God had made a breach in Ʋzzah, &c. Hee was V. 8. Peter Martyr.not angry saith Martyr with God, who punished, but because the Levites had erred from the prescript rule of Gods Law, whereby hee was provoked to this severitie, and happily at his owne sinne, who had suffered the Arke so to bee carried, and that others might for ever after bee warned by this example to goe in every thing about holy matters according to rule, and feare to follow their owne phantasies, hee gave the place a new name, Perez Ʋzzah, that is, the breach in Vzzah. And David feared the Lord in that day, &c. that is, he was V. 9.afraid that this judgement might proceed further, even to him also, and to his Citie in Zion, if the Arke were carried thither, as sometime the men in Bethshemesh were destroyed for the Arkes sake. And hee feared and was troubled the more without doubt, because the people might now begin to thinke, that hee was not in so good grace with God, in that at the very first he was so crossed in that, wherein hee thought to have gotten him the greatest credit, viz. in shewing to have a care of Religion and to further that, and to honour the Arke of God all that hee could. Lyra also saith, that David was Lyra.not angry with God, but for the errour of these men, but this is assigned for the cause of his anger, because God had made a breach, and not because the Levites, under whose charge the Arke was, did so rashly, wherefore I thinke rather, that David sinned here of infirmitie, as any holy man might doe, and that great discontent wrought a while with him to make him desist from his enterprise of carrying the Arke into his Citie, and to place it by the way in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. Thus also Peter Martyr, who saith, that either David knew certainly from God, that the Arke was to bee removed to Peter Martyr.his Citie at that time, and if so, hee could not bee free from fault, in that he proceeded not, or else hee attempted this of his owne head without any warrant from God, and then he sinned, because hee did it without faith. Now for his causing of the Arke to turne aside into the house of Obed-Edom; hee also inquireth whether it bee justifiable in him, to expose him by meanes of the p. 384Arke to the hazzard, which hee himselfe declined, and answereth, that this man most probably being a good man and full of faith, desired that it might bee brought to him, nothing fearing any such danger, but accounting it an happinesse to receive so holy a thing into his house. This Obed-Edom was a Levite, as appeareth 1 Chron. 16. 5. but whether Abinadab, in whose house it was before, were a Levite or no, is uncertaine, but it is to bee held rather, that hee was, and so it hath been held by all antiquitie; yet when I consider 1 Chron. 15. where David calleth the Levites to carry the Arke, acknowledging an errour to have been committed before about it, I cannot but thinke it justly a question. And a Gittite hee is said to bee because as Lyra hath it, hee lived a banisht Lyra.man in Gath of the Philistims countrey, as being one, that fled thither to David. Peter Martyr saith, hee might bee called so either because hee was borne there, Peter Martyr.when the Philistims ruled over Israel, or hee might by them at that time bee sent for and placed there for the execution of some office, quod vix credo.

Here the Arke continued three moneths, and God blessed Obed-Edom, &c. V. 11. Schol. Histor.The Hebrews, saith Comestor, will have this blessing to bee in prolification, his wives and concubines all conceiving, and his cattell bringing forth Twinnes, but this is uncertaine, onelyonly it is certaine, that hee began suddenly to encrease extraordinarily in worldly things, so that his neighbours perceived it, and told Note. David of it: so Laban was blessed, when hee had Jacob in his house, and Potiphar, when hee had Joseph; God will not bee an unprofitable guest to such as entertaine him, the widow that entertained Elijah, his servant, was hereby preserved in Famin, and the Shunamite that entertained Elishah was blessed with a sonne; to give entertainement to such is to give harbour, as it were, to the Arke of God as Obed-Edom, and so to bee in the way of receiving a rich blessing.

David hearing how greatly Obed-Edom was blessed by reason of the Arke, V. 12.after that it had aboad there three moneths, hee fetcheth it with …oy to his owne Citie. In these three moneths space, Martyr thinketh that David had Peter Martyr.those other signes of Gods favour, which are related betwixt his first attempt to remove the Arke unto him, and this, 1 Chron. 14. viz. Hirams sending unto him Cedars and workmen, and the two great victories over the Philistims, whereby hee being more confirmed put away all feare and brought the Arke home unto him. And whereas these things are in this booke said to have been done before any mention made of the Arkes remove, hee thinketh, that order is not herein kept. But it seemeth rather to mee, that order is kept in this booke, but not, 1 Chron. 13. 14. because it is not likely, that David immediatly after the great feare and trouble of mind, into which hee was cast upon the death of Vzzah, would resolve, that God had now established the kingdome unto him, and multiply his wives, as is said 1 Chron. 14. 2. and neither in this booke nor in Chronicles is it said, that his great victories were any motive in part to bring the Arke unto him, but onelyonly Gods blessing upon the house where it was. How that in Chron. may bee reconciled with this for order, see before upon Vers. 1. And 1 Chron. 15. 1. that which is briefly here spoken, that David tooke the Arke out of the house of Obed-Edom and brought it into his 1 Chron. 15. 1.1 Chr 15:1owne Citie, is more fully set forth thus. A place being prepared for the Arke of God, and a Tabernacle made, hee said, none shall bring the Arke but Levites, &c. and here it is to bee understood, that hee did not now first make a Tabernable, but this was done before his first attempting to bring the Arke home unto him. Wherefore Comestor speaketh of this before the Arkes first Schol. histor.remove, saying, that David made a Tabernacle for the Arke neare his owne house, and tooke for it some of the old Curtaines, and reserved the former Tables, Pillars, and Bases, although the making of this Tabernacle bee not here spoken of, till Vers. 17. where it is mentioned notwithstanding, as made before, for they are said to have put the Arke in the Tabernacle, which David had made. This, as Lyra admonisheth, was not the same, which Moses had Lyra.made, but another, for that stood still at Gabaah, being a long time disjoyned from the Arke, and happily being now too old to bee removed David made p. 385another for the Arke. Then hee assembled all the Israelites againe to Jerusalem, &c. and the sonnes of Aaron and these Levites, of the sonnes of Kohath, 1 Chron. 15. 3.1 Chr 15:3Ʋzziel and his family 120. &c. then David said unto the chiefe, Sanctifie your V. 12.selves to carry the Arke, for because wee did not so at the first, the Lord brake in upon us, &c. And the Levites bare the Arke upon their shoulders, that is, saith Theodor. not some going before and some behind, for so the backes of those that went before should have beene towards the Arke, but going with their sides one against another and the Arke in the middest. This gathering together of so great a multitude was both to carry the Arke to his place with the greater honour, and also as Martyr noteth, that all being present before the P. Martyr.Arke might bee quickned the more to devotion, and by their presence shew, that they would bee obedient in their severall rankes and orders to God, a signe of whose presence the Arke was, both Levites, souldiers and other people, as at the inauguration of Kings a great multitude of their subjects from all parts must come and attend in token of their subjection, yet the way was not farre, that the Arke was now carried, for Obed-Edoms house was, as Lyra saith, in the Lyra.suburbs of Jerusalem, for which cause the people were gathered thither together, and are not said to have gone to any other place for it, whereas the Levites are said to beare the Arke, Vers. 15. Sallianus contendeth, that these Levites were Priests, herein following Josephus: for when the Arke at any time Sallianus.was carried with greatest honour, it was done by Priests, as over Jordan, about Jericho, and into Solomons Temple, neither doth it make against it here, that the children of Levi were said to carry it, because the Priests also were the children of Levi, and whereas it was committed to the Levites, that came of Cohath to bee carried, Numb. 4. 7. hee saith, this was meant commonly in the Wildernesse from station to station, but when it was to bee carried in more state, the Priests were the men, that must carry it, as Deut. 31. 9. they are spoken of, the Priests that beare the Arke of the Lord. Whereas in bidding them to sanctifie themselves and their brethren, of the Priests onelyonly Zadok and Abiathar being named, but of the Levites many, it is to bee understood that there were notwithstanding many Priests more, but these two were the chiefe, for 1 Chro. 24. they are distinguished into 24. orders.

And when God helped the Levites that bare the Arke, they offered seven Bullocks and seven Rammes: When they that bare the Arke had gone six paces, hee sacrificed Oxen 1 Chron. 15. 26. 2 Sam. 6. 13: Lyra.1 Chr 15:262 Sam 6:13and Fatlings; the vulgar Latine, they sacrificed an Oxe, and a Sheepe, and a Ram, and this helping of the Levites who carried the Arke Lyra understandeth according to some Rabbins in making it to feele so light, that they which carried it seemed to themselves as carrying nothing. But this is rejected by Tostatus, and Tostatus.some others, holding that God helped them by giving them alacritie in this worke extraordinary, even when they first began to take the Arke upon their shoulders. Pellican saith that God helped them, when hee shewed them mercy Pellican.and smote none of them, as hee had done Vzzah before, and some Rabbins, that Ʋzzah had beene smitten, when hee had gone but six paces, therefore they now being all safe at the sixth pace make a stand and offer sacrifice. But to let this passe as a conjecture, it is to bee thought, that by Gods helping the Levites at this time is not onelyonly meant his sparing of them, or giving them alacritie, but extraordinarily strengthning them in this worke, so as that by reason of their great strength, or because a divine power invisibly supported the Arke together with them, it seemed light unto them. At which signe of Gods speciall presence thus giving approbation to this enterprise, they were so moved, that they stood still, till sacrifices were offered unto God in way of thanksgiving. But whereas they are said to have sacrificed seven Bullocks and seven Rams, but according to the vulgar Latine, 2 Sam. 6. 13. a Bullock and a Ram; Sallianus the Jesuite saith, that this difference may bee reconciled thus, there was a Bullock and a Ram sacrificed in every company of the Levites, Sallianuswhich were seven; of the sacrificing of one of which companies onelyonly it is taken, 2 Sam. 6. 13. but of all, 1 Chron. 15. and this hee groundeth upon the vulgar Latine also, wherein it is said immediatly before, there were with David p. 386seven companies and the sacrifice of a Calfe, but this, as Lyra well noteth, is not in the Hebrew, but hath beene by some ignorantly inserted, although hee bee therefore taxed by Sallianus for greater rashnesse in putting it out, then the inserters for ignorance in putting it in. But cleaving to the Hebrew, wee shall not need any such device to reconcile the histories, seeing in that tongue there is no difference. And truly this is but a poore one; for if seven sacrifices were at one time offered in seven companies, there must needs bee seven Altars, whereas certainly there was but one altar of the Lord before the Arke.

And David danced before the Lord with all his might, being girded with a linnen Ephod, David was cloathed with a robe of fine linnen, and all the Levites which bare the V. 14. 1 Chron. 15. 271 Chr 15:27Arke: His Kingly robes being put off, hee arrayed himselfe now like one of the Levites out of his great humilitie. Now although there were some Ephods of linnen for the Priests which were holy, and therefore not to bee worne by any but Priests, yet it was free for any man else to make him such an upper garment of linnen, and to weare it, and it was commendable in ministring about the Arke so to doe. For even the Levites voluntarily in immitation of the Priests did weare Ephods, and not by vertue of any precept of the Law; wherefore Theodoret saith, there were Priestly super-induments and there were Theod. in 1 Chron.common, and without doubt David being a godly King would not dare to put on the Priestly but the common.

And they brought the Arke and set it in his place in the middest of the Tabernacle V. 17.that David had pitched for it: what Tabernacle David had made for the Arke is not said before, but that hee built himselfe an house, Chap. 11. 12. it must therefore bee understood, that it was within his owne palace, yet in such a place there, as that the people might from all parts freely resort unto it. For that it was within the limits of his owne habitation appeareth, because hee had before said, how shall I bring the Arke to me, Chap. 6. 9. Tostatus thinketh, that this place was a great Palace with a large Hall, and Porch before it, and lodgings about it for the Priests, Singers and Porters that served there. But why did hee make a Tabernacle or Tent for the Arke and not an house? Peter Martyr answereth, that hee knew that the Arke must bee removed againe, Peter Martyr.and hee had it then in his mind to build a Temple, wherefore in the meane season hee thought it best to place it in a Tent, as Moses at the first had done.

And David blessed the people, and dealt to every one, both men and women, a V. 19.cake of bread, a piece of flesh, and a fiagon of wine; this blessing was by praying for them, as Solomon afterwards did, and this munificence was more, then wee read of to have been done at his inauguration to the Kingdome, shewing, that he was more joyfull for the Arke of God brought home unto him, then for his Kingdom; and this bounty tended greatly to the reconciling of all his subjects minds unto him, who had been before divided, and therefore hee did most wisely herein. Some say that his blessing of the people, was not onelyonly a Sallianus.praying for them, but also a praising of them for their chearfull attendance about this service in transporting the Arke, as wee are said to blesse God when wee praise him. Now before the dismisse of the people mentioned at the end of v. 19. it is further shewed at the same time, 1 Chron. 16. 4. that David appointed Levites and Priests by name to minister before the Arke by singing and 1 Chron. 16. 4.1 Chr 16:4musick, and blowing of Trumpets, delivering to Asaph the Psalme to bee sung continually in praising God, verse 7, 8, 9, &c. and the Priests and Levites that should serve at the Tabernacle in the High-place at Gibeon, ver. 39, 40, &c. But when or how the Tabernacle was brought to Gibeon, is not recorded. It was V. 39. 40.set up in Shiloh by Ioshua, and there it abode till Eli…s death, from thence wee read of no more remove made thereof, but doe gather that it was removed after Iosh. 18.Josh 18that the Arke was taken by the Philistims, from 1 Sam. 21. where the Highpriest and the Shewbread are spoken of, as being at Nob, and therefore the Tabernacle. And happily before that it was carryed to Mizpeh, for thither the people by Samuels direction assembled to seek the Lord, and to make Saul p. 387King, and from Mizpeh to Gilgal, where they met to renew the Kingdome, and 1 Sam: 7. 1 Sam: 10. 17. 1 Sam: 11. 15.many sacrifices were offered, and from thence to Nob where it is next found, and from Nob to Gibeon, as here appeareth; and in this place what Priests and Levites should attend to sacrifice, and to doe other service required by the Law, David now directeth, and what at the place newly erected for the Arke to praise God daily there. So that from henceforth to the building of Solomons Temple, it seemeth, that there were two places for publique adoration, but the sacrifices were offered at the Tabernacle, for which cause Solomon is said there 1 King: 3. 4.to have offered a thousand burnt-offerings. And this might well bee, whilst the Arke and Tabernacle were disjoyned, because either of them was made to bee an holy signe of Gods presence, and the Law against sacrificing in divers, places, was not hereby transgressed, sith the meaning was to avoid the worshipping of false Gods, of which there could hereby bee no danger, whether sacrifices were offered at the Tabernacle, as they were daily, or before the Arke, as they were also sometimes, 1 Chron. 16. 1. Touching the Psalme of praise henceforth to bee sung continually before the Arke, the first part taken out of Psal. 105. unto these words, Touch not mine anointed, say the Hebrews in Seder Sider Olam.Olam, were sung in the morning; and the other part beginning with these words, Sing unto the Lord all the earth, taken out of Psal. 96. in the evening. These things being thus ordered, thr people departed, and David returned to 1 Chron: 16. 43.blesse his owne house, that is, to pray for a blessing upon them of his owne house in particular, as hee had done for all in generall, and with them to praise God and to feast, and make them good chear, for so Abigail, when she brought 1 Sam: 25.some good refreshing to David, prayed him to take that blessing.

Then Michal came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the King 2 Sam: 6. 20of Israel to day, who uncovered himselfe, &c. It was said before, that shee saw him leaping and dancing before the Arke, and despised him in her heart, v. 16. David to expresse his joy in the Lord, would needs bee one amongst the Levites, that should play upon an Instrument and dance as the Arke passed on, thus shewing his great humility. But Michal his wife most bitterly upbraided him Suetonius.by it, as not becomming a King. Indeed amongst the Romans, Nero and Caligula Emperours, are both blamed for dancing publiquely, and it was counted a cursed thing to be a dancer amongst them, and a certain Noble woman is accused by Cicero, because shee could sing and dance elegantly. Yet Livy saith, that Salii were the Priests of Mars, who indeed were Senators, and by the institution Cicer: pro Mar. Livius l. 1.of Numa, they went through the City carrying heavenly armes, singing and dancing, and herein chiefly stood their solemnities, when they sacrificed. But howsoever it was amongst the Heathen, David being rapt with heavenly joy, made these expressions unblamably before any; but Michal swelling with pride, and mad by reason of her Royall blood, as Gregory speaketh. Gregor. Mor. li 27. c. 27.Yet shee hath found some to joyne with her in blaming David, as Tostatus, who saith, that David was worthy to bee blamed for two things: 1 Because hee Tostatus.leaped and danced, which was a point of childish levity, and not of grave manners. 2. Because hee put off his Kingly apparell and put on an Ephod, and therefore Michal was in … manner justly angry with him; and Cajetan expoundeth his making of himselfe naked by his being uncovered his armes, his Cajetan.legs, and his sides, which was undecent, for the Ephod covered not these parts. And Theodoret and Procopius say, that Michal was a good woman, neither was Theodoret. qu. 21. 2 Reg. Neque enim propter hoc mansit sterilis, sed ut nullus regnaret ex co semine, est enim verisimile populum praelaturum eum, qui utrinque generis claritate flugeret.her barrennesse laid upon her for this, but because if shee had had a childe by David, it is most likely that the people would have stood for him to bee King, who did shine on both sides with the glory of his stock, whereas the Lord would have none to reigne any more of the seed of Saul. But all other Expositors, although they acknowledge Michal otherwise a good woman, and a good and most loving wife to David, for shee adventured her owne life to save him from Saul. preferring rather her love to him, then to her father, yet they do herein altogether justifie David, as committing no indecorum, and blame her for thus bitterly deriding him. Shee thought indeed that it did not become his royall Majesty to consort thus with the common sort, but that hee should p. 388have gone in his Royall ornaments in state at this solemnity, and that to doe otherwise was a great dishonour to him. And this made her to despise him in her heart, and to hasten to meet him returning home, that shee might upbraid him by it; and shee said, hee uncovered himselfe in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as a vaine fellow. Lyra thinketh, that by these handmaids, Lyra.shee meant his Concubines, and whereas hee answereth, that amongst them hee should bee had in more honour, hee understandeth it, because they should bear him children, which would make for the honour of his house, whereas shee should never more bear him any. But because shee speaketh of the handmaids of his servants, it cannot bee so understood, but of women of a servile condition; and of women shee speaketh rather then of men, because, as it is more shamefull for a woman to doe any thing ridiculous and undecent before men, so it is for a man to doe thus before women. Davids answer to her was, as shee well deserved, most bitter, for that hee remembred to her, Gods rejecting of her fathers house. Touching her going without a childe to the V. 23.day of her death; it is ridiculous which the Rabbins deliver, that shee had a childe, but dyed the same day that shee brought forth: neither is it of more credit that others say, that shee had children before by her other husband, or by David, but after this none; for it is plaine here that shee never had any, and yet the words of the text doe not imply, that for this mocking of David shee was punisht with barrennesse, for although it bee in our translation, therefore to Michal was no childe borne; the Hebrew may as well bee rendred, and to Michal, &c. shee was barren before, and happily for the reason brought by Theodoret, and the continuance of her barrennesse is here commemorated, as comming for this sin against her husband.