2 Samuel 6:19

19 Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.

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 They brought the Ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD .
18 When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
19 Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.
20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”
21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD .

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or a portion of meat. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
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