2 Samuel 6:19

19 and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat,[a] and a cake of raisins to each one. 1Then all the people departed, each to his house.

2 Samuel 6:19 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 6:19

And he dealt among all the people
Gave a dole unto them, divided among them:

[even] among the whole multitude of Israel:
and if there were so many as at first, there were thirty thousand of them, ( 2 Samuel 6:1 ) ; and perhaps more, since it follows:

as well to the women as men;
to both the one and the other; and the women, it is very probable, were not among those that went to fetch the ark, but assembled to attend the entrance of it into the city, and were present at the solemnities of its settlement:

to everyone a cake of bread;
or a loaf of bread, of what quantity is not said, no doubt sufficient for anyone person, or more:

and a good piece [of flesh]:
not only that was good in quality, but large in quantity, a very large piece of it; the Jews say F19 the sixth part of a bullock, they dividing it into six parts as we into four quarters; but it is not likely that such a quantity of flesh should be given to each person;

and a flagon [of wine];
but what such a vessel held cannot be said, though at least we may suppose it equal to a bottle of ours, or more; see ( Song of Solomon 2:5 ) ( Hosea 3:1 ) ;

so all the people departed everyone to his house;
to refresh themselves with the provisions David had given them.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 36. 3.

2 Samuel 6:19 In-Context

17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts
19 and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.
20 And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!"
21 And David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD--and I will make merry before the LORD.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Chronicles 16:43

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew term is uncertain
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.