2 Samuel 6:8
Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.
Then David became angry

David’s joy over bringing the Ark to Jerusalem turned to anger when Uzzah died. He had sought to honor the LORD, yet the Ark had been transported improperly on a cart rather than carried as God commanded. The judgment exposed the seriousness of approaching God’s holy presence without obedience.

2Sa 12:5 David burned with anger against the man…
2Sa 13:21 When King David heard all this, he was furious.
Jon 4:1 Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.

because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah.

The LORD’s judgment was sudden and decisive. Uzzah touched the Ark when the oxen stumbled, but no one was permitted to handle it directly. Israel was reminded that the Ark was not merely a national symbol but the sacred sign of God’s covenant presence.

1Sa 6:19-20 But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh.…
Lev 10:1-3 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers,…
Num 16:31-35 As soon as Moses had finished saying all this,…

So he named that place Perez-uzzah,

David named the site Perez-uzzah, meaning “outburst against Uzzah,” preserving the memory of God’s judgment. The name marked the event as a warning concerning the holiness of the LORD and the need to follow His instructions.

1Ch 13:11 Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth…
2Sa 5:20 So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated…
1Ch 14:11 So David and his men went up to Baal-perazim,…

as it is called to this day.

The place continued to bear that name when the account was recorded, showing that Uzzah’s death remained part of Israel’s memory.

Gen 26:33 So he called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the city…
Jos 7:26 And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks…
1Ki 9:13 “What are these towns you have given me?” asked Hiram…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, who is leading the procession to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

2. Uzzah
A man who touched the Ark of the Covenant to steady it and was struck down by God for his irreverence.

3. The LORD
The God of Israel, who enacts judgment upon Uzzah for his actions.

4. Perez-uzzah
The place named by David, meaning "outburst against Uzzah," marking the event where God struck Uzzah.

5. The Ark of the Covenant
The sacred chest representing God's presence, being transported to Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Reverence for God's Holiness
The incident with Uzzah underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and respect for His holiness. It serves as a reminder that God's instructions are to be followed precisely.

Obedience to God's Commands
The event highlights the necessity of adhering to God's commands, as outlined in Scripture. Disobedience, even with good intentions, can lead to severe consequences.

Understanding God's Justice
David's anger and fear reflect a human response to divine justice. This passage invites believers to grapple with the nature of God's justice and the importance of aligning our understanding with His character.

The Role of Leadership
As a leader, David's reaction and subsequent actions demonstrate the responsibility of leaders to ensure that God's commands are followed and to respond appropriately to God's discipline.

Naming and Remembering
Naming the place Perez-uzzah serves as a memorial of God's actions. It is important for believers to remember and learn from past events to grow in their faith and understanding.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the event at Perez-uzzah challenge our understanding of God's holiness and justice?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are approaching God with the reverence He deserves in our daily lives?

3. How does the account of Uzzah relate to other biblical accounts of God's judgment, such as Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10?

4. What lessons can we learn from David's response to God's actions, and how can we apply these lessons to our leadership roles today?

5. How can we create "memorials" in our own lives to remember and learn from God's actions and teachings?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 13:9-11
This passage provides a parallel account of the event, offering additional context and details about the incident with Uzzah.

Exodus 25:14-15
These verses outline the specific instructions given by God regarding how the Ark should be carried, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Leviticus 10:1-3
The account of Nadab and Abihu, who were also struck down for offering unauthorized fire, highlighting the seriousness of approaching God with reverence and obedience.

Psalm 30:5
This verse speaks to the nature of God's anger and favor, providing insight into the balance of God's justice and mercy.
Bringing Up the ArkC. Ness.2 Samuel 6:1-23
Care of the ArkJ. Parker, D. D.2 Samuel 6:1-23
David Restoring the ArkB. W. Newton.2 Samuel 6:1-23
Seeking the Ark of the CovenantC. S. Robinson, D. D.2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark Brought BarkA. Mitchell, D. D.2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark Brought to ZionW. H. Green, D. D., LL. D.2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark Brought to ZionG. F. Coster.2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark Brought Up to JerusalemW. G. Blaikie, D. D.2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark the Centre of Service and WorshipMonday Club Sermons2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Return of the ArkC. M. Fleury, A. M.2 Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark Upheld with Irreverent HandsB. Dale 2 Samuel 6:6-8
People
Abinadab, Ahio, David, Israelites, Michal, Obed, Obededom, Perez, Saul, Uzzah
Places
Baale-judah, Geba, Jerusalem, Perez-uzzah
Topics
Angry, Breach, Broken, Calleth, David, Displeased, Displeasing, Forth, Indignant, Lord's, Outburst, Perez, Perezuzzah, Perez-uzzah, Pe'rez-uz'zah, Uzzah, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 6:8

     5567   suffering, emotional
     5791   anger, human

2 Samuel 6:1-12

     7306   ark of the covenant

2 Samuel 6:1-15

     5089   David, significance

2 Samuel 6:1-19

     7241   Jerusalem, significance

2 Samuel 6:1-23

     7270   Zion, as a place

2 Samuel 6:6-8

     1105   God, power of
     5484   punishment, by God
     9210   judgment, God's

Library
Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." St. Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles. The care of the churches gathered among them devolved particularly on him. At the writing of this epistle he had no personal acquaintance with the church to which it is addressed.* Epaphras, a bishop of the Colossians, then his fellow prisoner at Rome, had made him acquainted with their state, and the danger
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Excursus on the Present Teaching of the Latin and Greek Churches on the Subject.
To set forth the present teaching of the Latin Church upon the subject of images and the cultus which is due them, I cite the decree of the Council of Trent and a passage from the Catechism set forth by the authority of the same synod. (Conc. Trid., Sess. xxv. December 3d and 4th, 1563. [Buckley's Trans.]) The holy synod enjoins on all bishops, and others sustaining the office and charge of teaching that, according to the usage of the Catholic and Apostolic Church received from the primitive times
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Reprobation Asserted: Or, the Doctrine of Eternal Election and Reprobation Promiscuously Handled, in Eleven Chapters.
WHEREIN THE MOST MATERIAL OBJECTIONS MADE BY THE OPPOSERS OF THIS DOCTRINE, ARE FULLY ANSWERED; SEVERAL DOUBTS REMOVED, AND SUNDRY CASES OF CONSCIENCE RESOLVED. BY JOHN BUNYAN OF BEDFORD, A LOVER OF PEACE AND TRUTH. 'What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.'--Romans 11:7 London: Printed for G. L., and are to be sold in Turn-stile-alley, in Holbourn. Small 4to, 44 pages. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This valuable tract
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Samuel 6:8 NIV
2 Samuel 6:8 NLT
2 Samuel 6:8 ESV
2 Samuel 6:8 NASB
2 Samuel 6:8 KJV

2 Samuel 6:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Samuel 6:7
Top of Page
Top of Page