2 Samuel 6:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.

NASB: Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread, one of dates, and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people left, each to his house.

CSB: Then he distributed a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake to each one in the entire Israelite community, both men and women. Then all the people went home.

NLT: 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.

KJV: And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

NKJV: Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house.

After the craftsmen built the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–22), the Levites spent forty years carrying it around the wilderness (Deuteronomy 10:8). Once it entered the Promised Land, it spent about 400 years in the tabernacle in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 1:3). The Philistines stole it in battle and apparently destroyed Shiloh (1 Samuel 4:11). After God cursed them, they sent it back, and it stayed in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Samuel 6:1–18; 7:1–2). Then King Saul carried it around to his own battles (1 Samuel 14:18).

Once David had conquered Jerusalem and built his house, he decided to bring the ark to a tent in Jerusalem. It took three months and the life of a man, but the ark is finally settled (2 Samuel 6:2–17). The party is over, and David is ready to send the hundreds of celebrants home (1 Chronicles 15). He doesn't leave them hungry. They have sacrificed hundreds of animals, and there are plenty of leftovers (2 Samuel 6:13; 1 Chronicles 15:26).

In that culture, a shared meal is a sacred moment. The food includes a portion of meat, a loaf of braided bread, and a cake made from dates or raisins. The meal is more than just part of the celebration. It represents God's provision for His people and, in this case, God's provision through his anointed king over the nation. After they've eaten, everyone goes home.

The ark will stay in Jerusalem, in David's tent, until Solomon builds the temple (2 Chronicles 5:2–13). Those festivities will be even grander. And for the first time in about 500 years, the priests who perform the sacrifices will again be responsible for caring for the ark.

When David returns home, he discovers not everyone understands the importance of this moment. His first wife Michal, daughter of Saul, can't accept that David's raucous dancing is an appropriate way for a king to celebrate God's blessings. She sees the servant girls watching and claims her husband dishonor himself. She had once loved David above even her father (1 Samuel 18:20). If she loved God more, she'd understand her husband.

Second 2 Samuel 6:16–19 continues a celebration over the ark of the covenant. In the time of the priest Eli, Philistines took the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4:11). They returned it, and it sat in Baale-judah / Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Samuel 7:1–2). Then it apparently traveled with the army (1 Samuel 14:18). David wants God's presence closer, so he brought the ark to Jerusalem. The entire journey is filled with sacrifices and celebration, and now David adds feasting. Michal, however, isn't impressed by David's "vulgar" behavior. First Chronicles 15:29—16:1–3 records the same information, while 16:4–42 gives more detail, including David's psalm.

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).