Wesley Corpus

Chapter VI The ark is brought from the house of Abinadab, ver. 1 - 5. Its progress stopped by the death of Uzzah, ver. 6 - 11. It is brought into the city of David with solemn rejoicings, ver. 12 - 19. David answers the reproof of Michal, ver. 20 - 23. On which, &c. - That is, by, or before which, they were to present their prayers to God for counsel and succour upon all occasions. And this is mentioned here as the reason why David put himself and his people to so great trouble and charge, because it was to fetch up the choicest treasure which they had. They set, &c. - Being taught, and encouraged to do so, by the example of the Philistines, who did so without any token of God's displeasure upon them for so doing. But they did not sufficiently consider, that God might wink at the Philistines, because they were ignorant of God's laws; and yet be angry with them for the same thing, because they knew, or might have known the law of God, which commanded the priests to bear it upon their shoulders. But their present transports of joy of the happy change of their affairs, and their greedy desire of having the ark of God removed, made them inconsiderate. In Gibeah - Or, on the hill, as 1Sam 7:1. Played before the Lord - Public joy should always be as before the Lord, with an eye to him, and terminating in him. Otherwise it is no better than public madness, and the source of all manner of wickedness. He died - This may seem very severe, considering his intention was pious, and his transgression not great.