And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
Parallel translations
- WEB When those who bore Yahweh’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
- BSB When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
- NKJV And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.
- 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.
- NLT After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
After the ark-bearers took six steps, David offered sacrifices of an ox and a fattened calf. Worship and sacrifice marked every stage of bringing God's presence home.
Overview
This time the ark was 'borne' by bearers, in keeping with God's command, not carted. The early sacrifice expressed gratitude and consecration of the whole journey to the LORD. David's lavish, reverent worship shows that bringing God's presence among His people is fittingly accompanied by costly devotion.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Chr 15:15And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
- 1 Kgs 8:5And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
- Num 4:15And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
- Num 7:9But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.
- Josh 3:3And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
- 1 Chr 15:2Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
- 1 Chr 15:25–26So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy.
- 2 Chr 5:6Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 6:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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