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.

2 SAMUEL 6:10KJV
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2 Samuel 6:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 6:10 mean?

2 Samuel 6:10 describes how David decided not to bring the ark of the LORD into the city of David after a troubling incident, but instead took it aside to the house of Obededom the Gittite. David made this choice out of caution and respect for the ark’s holiness, temporarily placing it in someone else’s care.

In this verse, David is the king of Israel and is leading the effort to move the ark (a sacred chest representing God’s presence) to Jerusalem. After an earlier mishap during the transport, David hesitates to bring the ark directly into the city and instead leaves it with Obededom, a man from Gath. This moment shows David’s concern for handling something holy properly and sets up what happens next in the story.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 6:10

  • "Ark" (אָרוֹן, ʾārōn): This word refers to the sacred chest that symbolized God's presence among the Israelites. Its mention highlights the seriousness of handling something considered extremely holy.
  • "Remove" (סוּר, sur): This word means to turn aside or depart. Here, it shows David’s deliberate choice not to bring the ark into Jerusalem at that time.
  • "Aside" (נָטָה, natah): This word means to stretch out or turn aside. It emphasizes that David intentionally redirected the ark’s journey, not simply abandoning it but placing it somewhere specific.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): This word means house or household. The ark was not left out in the open but was placed in the home of Obededom, showing care for its safekeeping.

Why 2 Samuel 6:10 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that David was careless with the ark; instead, it shows he was deeply concerned about treating it with proper respect after a previous tragedy.
  • The verse highlights the importance of the ark and the seriousness with which it was regarded in Israel’s history, shaping how people approached God’s presence.
  • By mentioning Obededom the Gittite, the verse sets up the next part of the story, where blessings come to his household, showing that God’s presence brings both responsibility and blessing.

Where else these words appear

“Gittite” Hebrew H1663 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
  • 2 Samuel 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
  • 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

“Obededom” Hebrew H5654 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,