2 Samuel 6:10

So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(10) Obed-edom the Gittite.—He was a Levite, but whether of the family of Kohath or of Merari is uncertain, since at this time the name appears in both these families (see for Merari, 1Chronicles 15:17-18, and for Kohath, 1Chronicles 26:1; 1Chronicles 26:4; 1Chronicles 26:8; 1Chronicles 26:13-15). The one hero mentioned was a Gittite, i.e., born at, or belonging to, Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city on the confines of Dan and Manasseh (Joshua 21:24-25). One of these Levites is described as “the son of Jeduthun” (1Chronicles 16:38, where both are mentioned), and as Jeduthun probably belonged to the family of Merari, it is probable that the one here mentioned was called “the Gittite” for distinction’s sake, and belonged to the family of Kohath, to which Gath-rimmon belonged (Joshua 21:20). Moreover, it is said of the Obed-edom of 1Chronicles 26:4-5, that “God blessed him,” which seems to refer to this passage. The name, although a singular one (servant of Edom) was not uncommon, and was also borne by one having charge of the vessels of the sanctuary in the days of King Amaziah (2Chronicles 25:24). The Obed-edoms of David’s time were porters of the Tabernacle, Levitical musicians, and took an active part in bringing the ark to Jerusalem, and afterwards in ministering before it (1Chronicles 15:16; 1Chronicles 15:18; 1Chronicles 15:21; 1Chronicles 15:24; 1Chronicles 16:4-5; 1Chronicles 16:37-38; 1Chronicles 26:1; 1Chronicles 26:4; 1Chronicles 26:13-15).

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 6:10. David carried it to the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite — He is not called a Gittite from his being born in, or dwelling at, that Gath which was a city of the Philistines, but from Gath-rimmon, a Levitical city, Joshua 21:24. For it is certain he was a Levite, 1 Chronicles 15:18-24; 1 Chronicles 16:5. Obed-edom knew what slaughter the ark had made among the Philistines and the Bethshemites; he saw Uzzah struck dead; yet invites it to his house, and opens his doors without fear, knowing it was a savour of death only to them that treated it ill. “O the courage,” says Bishop Hall, “of an honest and faithful heart! Nothing can make God otherwise than amiable to him; even his justice is lovely.”

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:6-11 Uzzah was struck dead for touching the ark. God saw presumption and irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Familiarity, even with that which is most awful, is apt to breed contempt. If it were so great a crime for one to lay hold on the ark of the covenant who had no right to do so, what is it for those to lay claim to the privileges of the covenant that come not up to the terms of it? Obed-edom opened his doors without fear, knowing the ark was a savour of death unto death to those only who treated it wrong. The same hand that punished Uzzah's proud presumption, rewarded Obed-edom's humble boldness. Let none think the worse of the gospel for the judgments on those that reject it, but consider the blessings it brings to all who receive it. Let masters of families be encouraged to keep up religion in their families. It is good to live in a family that entertains the ark, for all about it will fare the better.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of Merari, being 1 Chronicles 15:18-24; 1 Chronicles 16:38 a son of Jeduthun, who was a Merarite. He was a porter, a player on the harp, and was one of the Levites especially designated to take part in the musical services on the occasion of bringing up the ark to Zion, and to minister before it when brought up. He is called a Gittite perhaps from Gath-Rimmon, in Manasseh, which belonged to the Kohathites Joshua 21:25. Marriage with a Kohathite, or some other cause, would account for his dwelling in a Kohathite city.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9, 10. David was afraid of the Lord that day, &c.—His feelings on this alarming judgment were greatly excited on various accounts, dreading that the displeasure of God had been provoked by the removal of the ark, that the punishment would be extended to himself and people, and that they might fall into some error or neglect during the further conveyance of the ark. He resolved, therefore, to wait for more light and direction as to the path of duty. An earlier consultation by Urim would have led him right at the first, whereas in this perplexity and distress, he was reaping the fruits of inconsideration and neglect.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Which doubtless was done by the consent and desire of the owner of it, who for the enjoyment of so great a privilege, was willing to expose himself to some hazard; and wisely considered that the late judgment was not to be imputed to the ark, but to Uzzah’s carelessness in managing it.

The Gittite: he was certainly a Levite, 1 Chronicles 15:18,21,21 16:5 26:4, and here called a Gittite, either, first, from Gath of the Philistines, where he or his father might be born or have sojourned, which might be upon divers occasions; or, secondly, from Gath-rimmon, which was a Levitical city, Joshua 21:24,25.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David,.... As yet, but wait a little longer, until he had more thoroughly considered of it, and made himself acquainted with everything relative to the ark, that he might know how to behave for the future, without giving offence:

but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite; which was close by, on one side of the place where they were; this man was a Levite, as appears from his being afterwards appointed to be doorkeeper for the ark, and to sing praise before it, and so a proper person to commit the care of it to, 1 Chronicles 15:18; he is called a Gittite, either because he had sojourned in Gath some time, or rather because he was of Gathrimmon, a city of the Levites, Joshua 21:24.

Geneva Study Bible

So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom {e} the Gittite.

(e) Who was a Levite, and had dwelt in Gittaim, 1Ch 15:21.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

10. Obed-edom the Gittite] Obed-edom was a Levite belonging to the family of the Korahites, who were descended from Kohath (1 Chronicles 26:1; 1 Chronicles 26:4-8; Numbers 16:1). He is called a Gittite probably because he was a native of the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon, in Dan or Manasseh, which was assigned to the Kohathites (Joshua 21:24-25). Thus there was an appropriateness in his being chosen to take charge of the Ark, since he belonged to the family which was originally appointed to carry it from place to place (Numbers 4:15). The site of Gath-rimmon is not determined, but it seems to have been further from Jerusalem than Kirjath-jearim, and this appears to indicate either that Obed-edom had removed from his native place and was living near Jerusalem, or that “Perez-uzzah” was not far from Kirjath-jearim, and that the special fitness of Obed-edom to take charge of the Ark induced David to take it to his house, though at a greater distance from Jerusalem.

The name Obed-edom (= servant of Edom) is peculiar. It may possibly refer to the servitude of some member of the family to the Edomites.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 10. - Obed-Edom. We find two Levites of this name among David's officials - one belonging to the family of Merari, a singer and doorkeeper for the ark (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21, 24); the other of the family of Korah (1 Chronicles 26:4, 5). And as it is there said that "God blessed him," he probably it was into whose house the ark was taken. He is called a Gittite, because he belonged to Gath-Rimmon, a Levitical city in the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:45; Joshua 21:24). 2 Samuel 6:10

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

David's excitement at what had occurred was soon changed into fear of the Lord, so that he said, "How shall the ark of Jehovah come to me?" If merely touching the ark of God is punished in this way, how can I have it brought near me, up to the citadel of Zion? He therefore relinquished his intention of bringing it into the city of David, and placed it in the house of Obed-edom the Gathite. Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of the Korahites, who sprang from Kohath (compare Exodus 6:21; Exodus 18:16, and 1 Chronicles 26:4), and belonged to the class of Levitical doorkeepers, whose duty it was, in connection with other Levites, to watch over the ark in the sacred tent (1 Chronicles 15:18, 1 Chronicles 15:24). He is called the Gittite or Gathite from his birthplace, the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in the tribe of Dan (Joshua 21:24; Joshua 19:45).