2 Samuel 6:17 kjv
And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
2 Samuel 6:17 nkjv
So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
2 Samuel 6:17 niv
They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD.
2 Samuel 6:17 esv
And they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
2 Samuel 6:17 nlt
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.
2 Samuel 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:10-22 | "They shall make an ark of acacia wood... a mercy seat... | Ark's divine design and purpose |
| Num 4:15 | "...when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy things... then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them..." | Specific instructions for carrying the Ark |
| Josh 3:3-6 | "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God... follow it." | Ark leading Israel and signifying God's presence |
| 1 Sam 4:3-11 | "...Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD... and let it come among us and save us..." | Consequences of disrespecting Ark's holiness |
| 1 Chr 15:1-2 | "David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it." | Parallel account of tent and preparation |
| 1 Chr 16:1 | "And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God." | Direct parallel, nearly identical wording |
| 1 Chr 16:39 | "And Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place that was at Gibeon," | Shows David's tent distinct from Tabernacle |
| Lev 1:3-9 | "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd... he shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering..." | Laws for burnt offerings (complete devotion) |
| Lev 3:1-5 | "If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering... a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish..." | Laws for peace offerings (fellowship) |
| Ps 51:17 | "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." | Spiritual nature of true sacrifice |
| Isa 57:15 | "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit...'" | God's dual dwelling place: heaven and humble heart |
| 1 Kgs 8:5 | "And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered." | Solomon's subsequent abundant offerings |
| 1 Kgs 8:62-63 | "Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifice before the LORD... two hundred and twenty thousand sheep, and a hundred and twenty thousand oxen..." | Solomon offering at Temple dedication (kingly priestly role) |
| 2 Chr 26:16-21 | "But when he was strong, he grew proud... He trespassed against the LORD his God by entering the temple to burn incense on the altar of incense." | King Uzziah's unauthorized priestly act and judgment |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Christian call to living sacrifice |
| Heb 9:11-14 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." | Christ as ultimate sacrifice and priest |
| Heb 10:1-10 | "For since the law has but a shadow... Christ came into the world as one 'prepared body' to do God's will." | Christ's one sacrifice replaces animal sacrifices |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." | God tabernacling among humans in Jesus |
| Acts 7:48-50 | "Yet the Most High does not dwell in temples made by hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool...'" | God's transcendence beyond physical structures |
| Rev 21:3 | "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" | Eschatological dwelling of God with His people |
2 Samuel 6 verses
2 Samuel 6 17 Meaning
Second Samuel 6:17 describes the climactic moment of the Ark of the Lord's return to Jerusalem. After being correctly brought into the city, it was carefully placed within a temporary tent specifically erected by King David. Following this sacred placement, David personally offered extensive burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD, signifying a profound act of worship, thanksgiving, consecration, and communal fellowship in God's presence. This act marked the re-establishment of central worship in Jerusalem under David's leadership.
2 Samuel 6 17 Context
The immediate context of 2 Samuel 6:17 follows the dramatic and previously failed attempt to bring the Ark of the LORD to Jerusalem, which resulted in Uzzah's death (2 Sam 6:6-8) due to improper handling. After a three-month stay at Obed-Edom's house (2 Sam 6:11-12), David heard of the LORD's blessing upon Obed-Edom and meticulously organized a new, proper procession (2 Sam 6:13-15) for the Ark's journey to Jerusalem, accompanied by great celebration, music, and sacrifices. This verse marks the successful culmination of that journey, signifying not just the Ark's arrival, but the re-establishment of the correct relationship and proper worship protocols with God after the solemn lesson of Uzzah.
Historically, this event is pivotal in David's reign. By bringing the Ark—the central symbol of God's presence—to Jerusalem, David solidified his new capital not only as a political center but also as the spiritual heart of the united kingdom. This contrasted sharply with Saul's neglect of the Ark (1 Chr 13:3), underscoring David's devotion and divinely sanctioned rule. This event also prepared the way for the eventual building of the Temple by Solomon, making Jerusalem the exclusive sanctuary.
2 Samuel 6 17 Word Analysis
And they brought in: This highlights the action of the appointed carriers, emphasizing proper execution after the tragic failure involving Uzzah. The "they" refers to the Levites, who were Divinely instructed to carry the Ark (Num 4:15; 1 Chr 15:2).
the ark of the LORD: Hebrew: 'aron YHWH (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה). The Ark of the Covenant, the holiest object in Israel, representing the very throne and presence of the invisible God among His people (Ex 25:22). Its arrival in Jerusalem signified God's active presence establishing residence in David's capital.
and set it: Signifies deliberate, respectful placement, conveying permanence and established order.
in its place: Refers to the designated spot within the specially prepared tent, affirming its sacred nature.
inside the tent: Hebrew: 'ohel (אֹהֶל). This was not the ancient Tabernacle, which remained at Gibeon (1 Chr 16:39), but a new, simpler tent pitched by David specifically for the Ark. It reflected David's immediate devotion and initiative, demonstrating his personal desire for God's presence at the heart of his kingdom without delay, even before a permanent temple could be built.
that David had pitched for it: Emphasizes David's active role, his commitment, and his foresight in providing a dedicated, albeit temporary, dwelling for God's symbol. This tent became the center of vibrant worship under David (1 Chr 16:4-37).
and David offered: As king and head of the nation, David's role here is celebrative and representative, acting on behalf of all Israel. This differs from the daily, specific duties of the Levitical priests (e.g., burning incense, which King Uzziah was punished for in 2 Chr 26:16-21). David's actions here are within the bounds of a kingly prerogative during a major national religious event, offering voluntary, communal sacrifices.
burnt offerings: Hebrew: 'olah (עוֹלָה). These were offerings entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender, devotion, atonement, and consecration to God. Their lavish quantity underscored the national gratitude and commitment.
and peace offerings: Hebrew: shelamim (שְׁלָמִים). These offerings emphasized fellowship, communion, and thanksgiving, a portion of which was typically eaten by the worshipper and priests, signifying reconciliation and peaceful relationship with God. The celebratory context is emphasized by these shared meals.
before the LORD: Hebrew: lipnei YHWH (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה). This phrase denotes performing actions directly in God's manifest presence, confirming that all was done as an act of devotion directed solely to the living God. It reinforced the sanctity of the place and the solemnity of the worship.
Words-group Analysis:
- "and they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it": This sequence of actions demonstrates the successful completion of the arduous and sacred task of relocating the Ark. It highlights meticulousness and reverence in handling God's presence, a stark contrast to the initial error involving Uzzah. It underlines David's intentionality in centralizing sacred worship in Jerusalem.
- "and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD": This pairing signifies a holistic act of worship—full consecration to God ('olah) and joyful communion with God (shelamim). David's active participation as king in leading national worship is emphasized, showing his devotion and God's acceptance of the established order and offerings.
2 Samuel 6 17 Bonus Section
The "tent that David had pitched for it" is noteworthy as it distinguished the location of the Ark from the venerable Mosaic Tabernacle which continued to function in Gibeon with the bronze altar until the Temple was built (1 Chr 16:39; 2 Chr 1:3-4). This meant for a period, Israel had two focal points of worship: the old Tabernacle with the sacrificial altar (in Gibeon) and the new tent with the Ark (in Jerusalem), emphasizing David's immediate pragmatic solution driven by zeal rather than strictly following past architectural norms. It illustrates David's understanding that God's presence (symbolized by the Ark) was paramount. This arrangement highlights a theological emphasis shift: while sacrifice was still essential (Levitical priesthood at Gibeon), God's dwelling presence with the Davidic king in Jerusalem was being elevated, laying groundwork for the Temple theology. This period could be seen as God's providential accommodation to David's earnest desire to have God's visible presence at the heart of his kingdom. It also implicitly underscores the uniqueness of Jerusalem as the chosen city for God's ultimate dwelling place on earth (Ps 78:68-69; 132:13-14).
2 Samuel 6 17 Commentary
2 Samuel 6:17 encapsulates the triumphant culmination of God's Ark being restored to a place of prominence in Israel, under proper protocol. After the previous attempt resulted in judgment due to negligence (Uzzah's death), this moment highlights the correct and reverent approach to the sacred. The carefully placed Ark within David's chosen tent signified God's willingness to dwell among His people, on His terms. David's spontaneous decision to set up a temporary tent demonstrates his zeal and desire for immediate proximity to God's presence, serving as a placeholder until Solomon built the magnificent Temple. The abundance of burnt offerings (complete dedication and expiation) and peace offerings (fellowship and thanksgiving) speaks volumes of the nation's profound gratitude and restored relationship with the LORD. This event cemented Jerusalem as both the political and spiritual capital, setting the stage for the Davidic covenant and Messianic hopes. It reinforces the theological principle that while God is holy and commands respect, He desires communion with His people when they approach Him in the prescribed way, not through mere ritualism but with heartfelt devotion and proper order.
Examples:
- Adherence to God's Word: Just as David meticulously followed the Law in bringing the Ark, believers are called to align their worship and service with biblical truth (1 Sam 15:22).
- Heartfelt Worship: The offering of numerous sacrifices speaks to a genuine, overflowing joy in God's presence, inspiring believers to offer sincere praise and devotion.
- Proximity to God: David's desire for the Ark (God's presence) to be central illustrates the believer's pursuit of a close relationship with Christ, who is now God dwelling among us (Jn 1:14).