vol. 35, Issue #3

Online Journal Article: "Hebrew Style In 2 Samuel 6" by Terence Kleven* Jets 35/3 (September 1992) 299-314

https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/35/35-3/JETS_35-3_299-314_Kleven.pdf

Plot

Complete article may be found here:
https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/35/35-3/JETS_35-3_299-314_Kleven.pdf

HEBREW STYLE IN 2 SAMUEL 6
TERENCE KLEVEN*
JETS 35/3 (September 1992) 299-314

Excerpt:
2 Samuel 6 presents the story of the movement of the ark from Kirjath
Jearim to Jerusalem. In the first part of the account the ark begins its
journey but is interrupted because Uzzah, one of the men who drive the
cart upon which the ark is carried, steadies the ark with his hand and is
struck dead by God. David is afraid to continue to transport the ark, and
it is placed in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. In the second part
David succeeds in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The reason for his success
is delineated in the subtle and laconic yet definite development of the
story. David recognizes that the ark needs to be carried in the manner
stipulated by Pentateuchal law—that is, upon the shoulders of priests—
rather than on a cart as had been done by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 6. A
comparison of the two attempts reveals that after the Uzzah incident
there are indications that the ark was carried by humans rather than on a
cart, that the sacrificial law is considered essential when Israelites are in
the presence of the ark, and that the priestly function is now given its
rightful place --from the first page of the article