2 Samuel 6:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.

NIV: When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

NASB: And so it was, that when those carrying the ark of the Lord marched six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened steer.

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

NLT: After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

KJV: And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

NKJV: And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.

David longs to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, his political capital. In his first attempt, no one followed the instructions in the Mosaic law. Uzzah, one of the men who had guarded the ark for decades, reached out to keep the ark from falling off an ox cart, and God struck him dead for irreverence. David, torn between anger and fear, left the ark at the house of Obed-edom and returned home (2 Samuel 6:5–10).

Perhaps David believed that God's judgment of Uzzah meant He'd withdrawn His presence from Israel. Or, worse, that God was so displeased with him or with Israel that the ark would bring only judgment. Three months later, however, David learns that the Lord is blessing Obed-edom's household. God's favor and power are still available when His presence is near (2 Samuel 6:6–12).

David wants God's blessing, so he tries again. This time, Levites carry the ark on poles fitted through the rings on its sides, exactly as the Law commands (Exodus 25:12–15; Deuteronomy 10:8). Every six steps, David orders the offering of an ox and a fattened animal. Horns blast, voices shout, and David dances with joy (2 Samuel 6:14).

Although the text says David sacrifices the oxen and other animals, he can't do it himself. He probably provides the animals, and the priests and Levites do the work. In the ancient world, travelers often sacrificed to seek their god's favor. When the ark reaches Jerusalem, David will offer even more burnt offerings and peace offerings (2 Samuel 6:17). Burnt offerings express repentance, while peace offerings express thanks, requests, and fellowship with God. Later, Solomon will dedicate the temple with many thousands of oxen and sheep (1 Kings 8:63).

Second Samuel 6:12–15 records the day when the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–22) finally reaches Jerusalem. For decades, it's either been in Baale-judah or carried with the army. At first, David had the ark transported contrary to the instructions in the Mosaic law, and a man died (2 Samuel 6:5–11). Now, the ark is properly hand-carried. The people celebrate with singers, musicians, and dancers. As David joins the celebration, his wife Michal watches with disgust at what she thinks is undignified behavior (2 Samuel 6:16). 1 Chronicles 15:1–28 gives greater detail to the procession.

In 2 Samuel 6, David decides to bring the ark of God (Exodus 25:10–22) to Jerusalem. This includes an enormous crowd and a great procession. Unfortunately, he doesn't follow the Mosaic law, and a man dies for inappropriately touching the ark. David leaves the ark at a house for three months before trying again. Moving the symbol of God's presence into the nation's capital delights everyone except David's first wife, Michal. She is disgusted by David's undignified enthusiasm. The same events are noted in 1 Chronicles 13 and 15.

David has established himself as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5). In 2 Samuel 6, the ark of the covenant reaches Jerusalem. Since its first home in Shiloh, it's been captured by Philistines, sent back home, housed in Kiriath-jearim, carried with the army, and returned to Kiriath-jearim (Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 4, 6; 7:1–2; 14:18). David first puts the ark on a cart, but the cart wobbles and God strikes dead the man who tries to save it. Eventually, Levites carry the ark to Jerusalem properly. Soon, David decides that God deserves a proper temple and asks if he can build one (2 Samuel 7).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.