2 Samuel 6 19

2 Samuel 6:19 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.

2 Samuel 6:19 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.

2 Samuel 6:19 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.

2 Samuel 6:19 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.

2 Samuel 6:19 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.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 19 Meaning

After the Ark of the Covenant was safely brought into Jerusalem, David, as a generous and divinely-appointed king, distributed a substantial celebratory meal to every individual among the gathered multitude of Israel. This act signified God's abundant blessing and provision accompanying His presence among His people, fostering communal joy and fellowship.

2 Samuel 6 19 Context

2 Samuel chapter 6 narrates David's joyous and passionate endeavor to bring the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. This act was central to David's aim of consolidating Jerusalem as both the political capital and the spiritual heart of Israel. After an initial disastrous attempt involving Uzzah's death, the Ark was temporarily placed in the house of Obed-Edom, where it brought blessings. Following this, David successfully brought the Ark to Jerusalem with proper reverence, sacrifices, and celebratory worship. Verse 19 describes the conclusion of this grand processional and festive assembly, with David demonstrating royal generosity and providing for the participating populace, underscoring the deep joy and thanksgiving felt by the nation for God's renewed presence among them.

2 Samuel 6 19 Word analysis

• And he distributed: Hebrew: wayechalleq (וַיְחַלֵּק), from the root chalaq (Strong's H2505), meaning to divide, distribute, or apportion. This emphasizes David's active role as the leader, personally ensuring everyone received their share. It highlights his royal prerogative and care for his subjects.
• among all the people: Indicates the universality of the distribution; no one was left out. This act underscored unity and collective participation in the sacred event.
• even among the whole multitude of Israel: A repetition and amplification of "all the people," further emphasizing the widespread nature and completeness of the distribution to the entire community gathered for the celebration. It highlights the inclusiveness and the scope of David's provision.
• both to men and women: Specifically mentions both genders, indicating an unusual and commendable equity in an ancient society where women might sometimes be overlooked in public distributions. It portrays a scene of full societal participation and shared joy.
• to every one: Reinforces the individual and personal nature of the provision. Each person received their specific portion, symbolizing God's individual care conveyed through David's leadership.
• a cake of bread: Hebrew: challah (חַלַּת), from challāh (Strong's H2471). This typically refers to a round or ring-shaped loaf or a perforated cake, often made with leavened dough. It was a staple food, representing basic sustenance.
• and a good piece of flesh: Hebrew: v'espar basar (וְאֶסְפָּר בָּשָׂר), where espar (Strong's H6446) means a "portion" or "piece," and basar (Strong's H1320) means "flesh" or "meat." This would likely be a choice portion of roasted meat, probably from the peace offerings sacrificed as part of the celebration (cf. 2 Sam 6:17-18). This addition signified abundance and feasting, not just basic sustenance.
• and a flagon of wine: Hebrew: v'ashishah (וַאֲשִׁישָׁה). This is a point of scholarly discussion. While KJV translates it as "flagon of wine," the Hebrew word ashishah (Strong's H809) typically refers to a "raisin cake" or "date cake." This interpretation is supported by its parallel usage in 1 Chronicles 16:3 where it's listed alongside bread and meat. Scholars generally agree it was a pressed cake of dried fruits (like raisins or dates), a sweet and energy-rich treat often associated with joyous occasions and festivals (e.g., Song of Solomon 2:5). The KJV's "flagon of wine" may have been an older interpretive rendering. Providing a raisin-cake added to the richness and festive nature of the meal.
• So all the people departed every one to his house: Marks the orderly conclusion of the celebratory gathering. The satisfaction implied by having received sustenance enabled them to return home content and at peace, concluding the successful integration of the Ark into Jerusalem.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he distributed among all the people... to every one": This highlights David's compassionate and generous leadership. His action of personally distributing the provisions signifies his role as a shepherd-king who cares for his entire flock, reflecting divine providence through human instrumentality.
• "a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine (or raisin cake)": This triad represents a complete and bountiful meal, indicating a time of blessing, rejoicing, and abundance. It moves beyond mere necessity to convey festive provision and luxury, symbolizing God's overflowing goodness manifested through the Ark's presence.

2 Samuel 6 19 Bonus section

• Echoes of God's Provision: David's lavish distribution of food resonates with God's historical provisions for His people, such as the manna in the wilderness or the abundance in the Promised Land. This act solidifies David's role as God's instrument in blessing Israel.
• Theological Significance of Ashishah: The detail of the ashishah (raisin-cake) carries theological weight. In the Old Testament, such cakes were often associated with idolatrous feasts (e.g., Hos 3:1), but here, their inclusion in a Yahwistic celebration reclaims and consecrates the symbol for pure worship, transforming a potential snare into an emblem of legitimate festivity and divine delight.
• Precursor to Messianic Feast: This grand, inclusive feast for "all the people" serves as a beautiful prefiguration of the great banquet that God promises for all nations in His coming kingdom, often referred to as the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9) or the feast on Mount Zion (Isa 25:6).
• Worship and Welfare: The verse highlights the intimate connection between spiritual worship and social welfare. True worship leads to joyful fellowship and practical provision for the community, reflecting God's holistic concern for His people's well-being.

2 Samuel 6 19 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:19 depicts the joyous culmination of David's earnest desire to bring the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's immediate presence, to Jerusalem. David, filled with enthusiasm and faith, celebrated this momentous event by making sacrifices and leading worship. The act of distributing food—bread, meat, and raisin cakes (more accurately than 'flagon of wine' as per most modern scholarship and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 16:3)—to everyone in the assembled crowd underscores the widespread nature of the celebration and David's generous leadership. This royal provision was not merely sustenance but a communal feast, cementing the spiritual and social unity of Israel under God and David. It reflected God's character as a provider, assuring the people of His care and blessing accompanying His presence. David's generosity and the people's collective satisfaction contrast with Michal's later disapproval, emphasizing the purity and joy of this divinely blessed moment. It serves as a reminder that divine blessing often accompanies communal worship and sacrificial giving, providing both physical and spiritual sustenance for the people.