Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 6:19
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.
19. dealt ] In the old sense of divided or distributed, from A. S. dlan, to distribute, from which comes dole, a portion dealt out. Cp. Isa 58:7; Rom 12:3.
a cake of bread ] The Heb. word for cake occurs elsewhere only in the Pentateuch, and is always applied to cakes prepared for sacrificial purposes.
a good piece of flesh ] The word is only found elsewhere in the parallel passage of 1 Chr., and is of uncertain meaning. The most probable conjectures are (1) a piece of roast meat (Vulg.); (2) a portion of flesh; (3) a measure of wine.
a flagon of wine ] More probably, a cake of raisins.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A good piece of flesh – The word thus paraphrased is only found here and in marginal reference A piece of meat from the peace offerings is probably meant. From the fact that the chronicler explains the preceding cake by the more common word loaf, but leaves this obscure word unexplained, one might infer that it was already obsolete and unknown in his time. The Septuagint translates it: a cake baked on the hearth; the Vulgate a piece of roast beef.
A flagon of wine – Rather, a cake of grapes or raisins Hos 3:1; Son 2:5, or made with oil or mead.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. A cake of bread] Such as those which are baked without leaven, and are made very thin.
A good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.] The words of flesh and of wine we add; they are not in the Hebrew. The Chaldee translates one part and one portion; but all the other versions understand the Hebrew as we do.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
19. cake of breadunleavenedand slender.
a good piece of fleshroastbeef.
2Sa6:20-23. MICHAL’SBARRENNESS.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he dealt among all the people,…. Gave a dole unto them, divided among them:
[even] among the whole multitude of Israel: and if there were so many as at first, there were thirty thousand of them, 2Sa 6:1; and perhaps more, since it follows:
as well to the women as men; to both the one and the other; and the women, it is very probable, were not among those that went to fetch the ark, but assembled to attend the entrance of it into the city, and were present at the solemnities of its settlement:
to everyone a cake of bread; or a loaf of bread, of what quantity is not said, no doubt sufficient for anyone person, or more:
and a good piece [of flesh]: not only that was good in quality, but large in quantity, a very large piece of it; the Jews say s the sixth part of a bullock, they dividing it into six parts as we into four quarters; but it is not likely that such a quantity of flesh should be given to each person;
and a flagon [of wine]; but what such a vessel held cannot be said, though at least we may suppose it equal to a bottle of ours, or more; see So 2:5;
so all the people departed everyone to his house; to refresh themselves with the provisions David had given them.
s T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 36. 3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(19) A good piece of flesh.A peculiar word, used only here and in 1Ch. 16:3, but the context shows that it is rightly interpreted in the English. The phrase a flagon of wine (used also in 1Ch. 16:3; Son. 2:5; Hos. 3:1) should be translated a cluster of grapes or raisins.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to every one a cake of bread, and a portion (of flesh? or wine?), and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed every one to his house.’
Finally the whole celebration was completed by the whole of assembled Israel, both men and women, each receiving a cake of bread, ‘a portion or measure’ (probably of flesh from the numerous peace-offerings, or alternatively of wine) and a cake of raisins. This was the equivalent of eating before YHWH (Exo 24:11; Deu 12:7). Then all the people left Jerusalem and returned home to their houses. The celebration was over. The worship of YHWH had been established in Jerusalem where not long before Canaanite gods had reigned supreme. It need hardly be pointed out that David did not distribute all this personally. The numbers involved would have been enormous.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Sa 6:19. Flagon of wine Draught of wine. Hiller. 332.
REFLECTIONS.The blessing of the ark on Obed-edom and his house soon reached the ears of David; and now his fears are removed, and his desires return to have the ark with him at Jerusalem. Hereupon once more he attempts to remove it, and through the Divine blessing succeeds. Note; Though we are sore let and hindered in our race, we must not despair; success shall at last crown our labours.
1. David saw and rectified his former mistake: the Levites, according to Divine prescription, are appointed to carry the ark; and when they had gone six paces, David caused oxen and fatlings to be offered as an atonement for former errors, and in thankfulness for present help. Note; (1.) When God by his correction has led us to repentance, we need not doubt that we shall inherit a blessing. (2.) The blood of the one great Sacrifice must be regarded in all our undertakings, as the sole foundation for our dependance on God’s favour and regard.
2. David in all humility, with every demonstration of joy, preceded the ark. He laid his royal robes aside, and, in an ephod like that which the ministers of the sanctuary wore, with exultation leaped and praised God with all his might: his heart was engaged in the blessed service, and his body spoke the transport of his soul.
3. The people joined their king in these lively expressions of joy: with shouts of triumph, and the trumpet’s cheerful voice, they brought up the ark to the tabernacle. David had provided for it, according to the former usage; and there before it David offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, expressive of his gratitude and thankfulness for the success he had met with.
4. David dismissed the people. He blessed them in the name of God; prayed for them and over them, that they might thus ever delight in God and his ways; and gave each of them a cake, and meat (probably part of the sacrifices, which were always eaten as a sacred feast), and wine. And thus the people returned to their houses, highly satisfied. Note; (1.) All God’s people are called to feast on the one great Sacrifice, and to eat that bread, and drink of that cup, which the Saviour, the Son of David, has provided for us. (2.) A generous and munificent spirit naturally engages our regard. (3.) When we have the blessing of the King of kings upon us, then may we well depart in peace.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Sa 6:19 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.
Ver. 19. And a flagon of wine. ] For which Josephus hath a wafer cake, and the Vulgate similam frixam oleo, as if David had made the people a dry feast – such as the Papists make the people at the eucharist; but the word here used signifieth vas vinarium, a flagon.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
men . . . every one. Hebrew. ‘ish. App-14.
good piece of flesh. Note, “of flesh” is in italics, following the Vulgate. Translate, “a measure [of’ wine]”.
flagon of wine. Omit “flagon of wine”, and render “a cake of raisins”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
he dealt: 1Ch 16:3, 2Ch 30:24, 2Ch 35:7, 2Ch 35:8, 2Ch 35:12, 2Ch 35:13, Neh 8:10, Eze 45:17, Act 20:35, Eph 4:8
So all the: 1Ki 8:66, 2Ch 7:10
Reciprocal: 1Ki 3:15 – peace offerings 1Ch 12:39 – eating and drinking 1Ch 16:43 – all the people Son 2:5 – flagons Luk 14:13 – call Act 5:14 – multitudes