2 Samuel 6:13

13 And when they, that bare the ark of the Lord, had gone six paces, they offered an ox and a ram. (And when they, who carried the Ark of the Lord, had gone six paces, he offered an ox and a ram.)

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 And the ark of the Lord dwelled in the house of Obededom of Gath three months; and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his house(hold). (And the Ark of the Lord stayed at the house of Obededom the Gittite for three months; and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his family.)
12 And it was told to king David, that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all his things, for the ark of God. And David said, I shall go, and bring the ark with blessing into mine house. Therefore David went, and brought the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy. (And it was told to King David, that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that he had/and all that was his, for keeping the Ark of God safe. And David said, Now I shall go, and bring the Ark of God with blessing to my house. And so David went, and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obededom to the City of David with great joy.)
13 And when they, that bare the ark of the Lord, had gone six paces, they offered an ox and a ram. (And when they, who carried the Ark of the Lord, had gone six paces, he offered an ox and a ram.)
14 And David smote in organs fastened to his arm (And David played on an instrument fastened to his arm); and he danced with all his strengths before the Lord; and David was clothed with (only) a linen surplice.
15 And David, and all the house of Israel, led forth the ark of [the] testament of the Lord/the ark of [the] witnessing of the Lord in hearty song, and in sound of trump. (And David, and all the house of Israel, brought forth the Ark of the Lord with hearty song, and the sound of trumpets.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.