2 Samuel 6:13

13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.

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 remained in the house of O'bed-e'dom the Gittite three months; and the LORD blessed O'bed-e'dom and all his household.
12 And it was told King David, "The LORD has blessed the household of O'bed-e'dom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of O'bed-e'dom to the city of David with rejoicing;
13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.
14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the horn.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.