God’s holiness must be approached with reverence, humility, and obedience.
In 2 Samuel 6:9 we read, “So David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, ‘How can the ark of the LORD come to me?’” (v.9). This verse takes place after King David, who reigned over Israel roughly from 1010 to 970 BC, witnessed the severe consequence of mishandling the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the sacred chest symbolizing the very presence of the LORD among His people, dating back to the time of Moses (Exodus 25). David had arranged for its relocation to Jerusalem, the future capital of Israel and the city that would become the central place of worship for the Israelites. However, when one of the attendants, Uzzah, ignored the divinely established procedures for transporting the Ark and touched it in an irreverent way, God’s judgment fell on him (2 Samuel 6:6-7). David’s immediate reaction was fear, as shown by his question, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (v.9).
The feeling of fear that overcame David stems from a sudden realization of God’s holiness and power. David recognized that the presence of the LORD carried serious responsibility—no one could treat God’s commands casually without facing dire consequences. Though he was a king anointed by God, he was reminded that he had to submit humbly to God’s instructions. Rather than pridefully assuming he was free to do as he wanted with the Ark, David became aware of the need for careful obedience. This same principle is echoed in the New Testament when believers are called to approach God with reverence, anchored in the saving work of Jesus, who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16).
By asking, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (v.9), David illustrated a desire to maintain fellowship with God but also admitted his need to align himself with divine standards. Eventually, David’s question would be answered through his deeper reverence and proper handling of the Ark according to God’s guidelines. This event set the tone for how worship should be approached: with both gratitude for God’s presence and due awe for His power. In like manner, the believer today is called to recognize the gravity of God’s holiness while embracing the nearness Jesus has made possible (John 14:6).
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2 Samuel 6:9 meaning
In 2 Samuel 6:9 we read, “So David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, ‘How can the ark of the LORD come to me?’” (v.9). This verse takes place after King David, who reigned over Israel roughly from 1010 to 970 BC, witnessed the severe consequence of mishandling the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the sacred chest symbolizing the very presence of the LORD among His people, dating back to the time of Moses (Exodus 25). David had arranged for its relocation to Jerusalem, the future capital of Israel and the city that would become the central place of worship for the Israelites. However, when one of the attendants, Uzzah, ignored the divinely established procedures for transporting the Ark and touched it in an irreverent way, God’s judgment fell on him (2 Samuel 6:6-7). David’s immediate reaction was fear, as shown by his question, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (v.9).
The feeling of fear that overcame David stems from a sudden realization of God’s holiness and power. David recognized that the presence of the LORD carried serious responsibility—no one could treat God’s commands casually without facing dire consequences. Though he was a king anointed by God, he was reminded that he had to submit humbly to God’s instructions. Rather than pridefully assuming he was free to do as he wanted with the Ark, David became aware of the need for careful obedience. This same principle is echoed in the New Testament when believers are called to approach God with reverence, anchored in the saving work of Jesus, who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16).
By asking, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (v.9), David illustrated a desire to maintain fellowship with God but also admitted his need to align himself with divine standards. Eventually, David’s question would be answered through his deeper reverence and proper handling of the Ark according to God’s guidelines. This event set the tone for how worship should be approached: with both gratitude for God’s presence and due awe for His power. In like manner, the believer today is called to recognize the gravity of God’s holiness while embracing the nearness Jesus has made possible (John 14:6).