2 Samuel 6:13

13 When those carrying the ark of the Lord advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.[a]

2 Samuel 6:13 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 6:13

And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark of the Lord,
&c.] The Levites; for now David had seen the former mistake, and rectified it, and ordered the Levites to "carry" it, as they did upon their shoulders, with the staves therein, see ( 1 Chronicles 15:2 1 Chronicles 15:12-15 ) ; when these

had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings;
upon an altar, which was at once erected for that purpose; the number and kind of sacrifices offered were seven bullocks and seven rams, ( 1 Chronicles 15:26 ) ; and these David offered, not by himself, but by the priests that were with him, and that as soon as they had gone six paces from the house of Obededom; whereby they perceived the Levites, were able to carry the ark, with what was in it, the Lord helping them, as in ( 1 Chronicles 15:2 1 Chronicles 15:15 ) , and without stumbling and falling, or any evil attending them; and Kimchi thinks these six paces were just the measure of the ground Uzzah went before what befell him; but it is highly probable that he had gone further; however, no doubt by the order of David, the Levites set down the ark, and sacrifices were offered by way of thanksgiving to God, and for the continuance of his goodness, and for atonement for former errors. Some think these seven oxen and rams were offered, at seven different times and places, at every six paces an ox and a ram; but this is not very likely.

2 Samuel 6:13 In-Context

11 The ark of the Lord remained in his house three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his whole family.
12 It was reported to King David: "The Lord has blessed Obed-edom's family and all that belongs to him because of the ark of God." So David went and had the ark of God brought up from Obed-edom's house to the city of David with rejoicing.
13 When those carrying the ark of the Lord advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14 David was dancing with all his might before the Lord wearing a linen ephod.
15 He and the whole house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of the ram's horn.

Footnotes 1

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