2 Samuel 6:3

“And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, etc.] Which was a great mistake, since it ought not to have been put upon a cart, old or new; it was to be borne upon men’s shoulders, and carried by Levites only, and those of the family of Kohath, to whom no wagons were given, when others had them, for the above reason, (<040709>Numbers 7:9); it is strange that so many priests and Levites, and of the people of Israel gathered together on that account, and David also, so well versed in the law of God, should not refer to it; perhaps they were led by the example of the Philistines, who put it in a new cart, and set it forward towards Bethshemesh, and were not punished for it; but it should have…”

“they set the ark of God upon a new cart--or a covered wagon (see on Sa1 6:7). This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violation of an express statute (see on Num 4:15 and see Num 7:9; Num 18:3).”

“The house of Abinadab in Gibeah - . Rather, on the hill (as in margin and 1 Samuel 7:1). It does not at all follow that Abinadab was still alive, nor can we conclude from Uzzah and Ahio being called sons of Abinadab, that they were literally his children. They may well have been sons of Eleazar and grandsons of Abinadab, or yet more remote descendants; since there is no distinct evidence that Abinadab was alive even when the ark was brought to Kirjath-jearim. The house may have retained the name of “the house of Abinadab” long after his death. return to 'Top of Page'”

“They set, &c. - Being taught, and encouraged to do so, by the example of the Philistines, who did so without any token of God's displeasure upon them for so doing. But they did not sufficiently consider, that God might wink at the Philistines, because they were ignorant of God's laws; and yet be angry with them for the same thing, because they knew, or might have known the law of God, which commanded the priests to bear it upon their shoulders. But their present transports of joy of the happy change of their affairs, and their greedy desire of having the ark of God removed, made them inconsiderate. In Gibeah - Or, on the hill, as Sa1 7:1. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 6:5”

“6:3-4 According to God’s instructions (Exod 25:14; 37:5; Num 4:6), the Ark was to be carried by Levites of the clan of Kohath, holding two poles slipped through four rings at the corners of the Ark. God’s instructions were ignored in this instance. • Uzzah and Ahio: In 1 Sam 7:1, Eleazar, another son of Abinadab, was put in charge of the Ark.”

“set: etc. Heb. made the ark of God to ride, Num 4:5-12, Num 7:9; Sa1 6:7 Gibeah: or, the hill 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 6:4”