6:1,2
During the reign of Saul the ark had been captured. David now attempted to bring the ark back. At first he fails, but then later succeeds. In the first attempt there is no record of David seeking guidance from the Lord, unlike in the case of his two battles against the Philistines recorded at the end of the previous chapter. So David set out with thirty thousand men. The text emphasises the association of the ark with the Name of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord.
6:3-5
The ark was put on a new cart. This was an attempt to treat the ark with due reverence. However, the Law had stated that the ark was to be carried, not carted (e.g. Deut 10:8; Ex 25:14, 37:5). David thought he was doing something for God, but what God requires is obedience. David and all Israel were celebrating “with all their might” before the Lord with all sorts of musical instruments. Everything looks good at this point. But remember in 1 Sam 4:5 when the ark was brought out to a great roar, victory seemed certain, but Israel had dealt with her sin. They were defeated and the ark was captured.
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