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.

2 SAMUEL 6:11KJV
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2 Samuel 6:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 6:11 mean?

2 Samuel 6:11 describes how the ark of the LORD stayed in the house of Obededom the Gittite for three months, and during that time, the LORD blessed Obededom and his entire household. The verse highlights a period when the ark was not in Jerusalem but brought blessing to the home where it rested.

This verse is set during King David’s efforts to bring the ark (a sacred chest representing God’s presence) to Jerusalem. After an earlier mishap, the ark was temporarily placed in the home of Obededom, a man from Gath. The text notes that instead of harm, Obededom’s family experienced blessing, showing the ark’s positive impact when treated with respect.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 6:11

  • אָרוֹן (’arōn, H727): This word means "ark" and refers specifically to the sacred chest that symbolized God’s presence among the Israelites. Its presence in Obededom’s house is central to the verse’s meaning.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name for the LORD, emphasizing that the blessing came directly from Israel’s God, not from the ark itself as an object.
  • בֵּית (bêṯ, H1004): This word means "house" and can refer to both the physical dwelling and the family or household. The blessing extended beyond just Obededom to everyone associated with his home.
  • בָּרַךְ (bāraḵ, H1288): This verb means "blessed." Here, it underscores that God’s favor was active and visible during the ark’s stay.

Why 2 Samuel 6:11 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the presence of the ark brought blessing, not danger, when handled with respect and reverence, correcting fears that might have arisen from earlier events.
  • It sets up the motivation for David to bring the ark to Jerusalem, as news of Obededom’s blessing encouraged him to continue his mission.
  • The verse highlights that God’s blessing can extend to entire households, not just individuals, showing the communal nature of God’s favor in the Old Testament context.

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 6:10 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.
  • 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: