Why did David sacrifice an ox every 6 steps?

[HisSparkPlug]

Was it because he was afraid someone else might die if they touched the ark of the covenant?

12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13 And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. - 2 Sam 6 NASB

 

[~Anastasia~]

JMO, but I think after he saw the consequences of failing to do it God's way, he was determined not to experience them again. So yes, I think the extreme care he took after that was to prevent that kind of thing happening again.

 

[tturt]

Can you imagine the first 6 steps taken? But I agree with you. Yahweh wasn't going to be approached in a nonchalant manner and He would be honored in every step taken.

One thing that I got from these Scriptures is when Michal saw David dancing before The Lord, it violated her image of him as king. Sometimes when folks see how someone else worships Yahweh, do I despise them in my heart as Michal did?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Because the prophet Isaiah hadn't been born yet . and doing sacrifices with a heart right before God still was accepted as a form of worship . God inhabits the praises of his people .

 

[~Anastasia~]

Can you imagine the first 6 steps taken? But I agree with you. Yahweh wasn't going to be approached in a nonchalant manner and He would be honored in every step taken.

One thing that I got from these Scriptures is when Michal saw David dancing before The Lord, it violated her image of him as king. Sometimes when folks see how someone else worships Yahweh, do I despise them in my heart as Michal did?

That's something I try very hard to watch myself in, because in visiting so many churches and seeing so much variety at times - I put myself very much at risk for that. Even if the church itself (the leadership) does something that doesn't set right with me, I have no right to judge the hearts of the people worshipping. I have seen God work in situations that I would not have expected it, and I put that down to the many hearts truly seeking Him. He will respond to that (ime) even if the leadership is involved in something that they shouldn't be.

 

[Tangible]

Wait, where does it say every six paces?

 

[Standing Up]

Was it because he was afraid someone else might die if they touched the ark of the covenant?

12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13 And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. - 2 Sam 6 NASB

Believe it wasn't six "paces" as man-measured steps, but some measure of space (see Septuagent).

Perhaps the sacrifices were the original oxen that pulled the cart to its tipping where Uzziah died.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Believe it wasn't six "paces" as man-measured steps, but some measure of space (see Septuagent).

Perhaps the sacrifices were the original oxen that pulled the cart to its tipping where Uzziah died.

Ah, that would make much more sense! The first time I read that, I was seeing an unimaginable pile of carcasses! I thought herds and herds had been sacrificed, and it would have taken a very long time!

 

[HisSparkPlug]

Can you imagine the first 6 steps taken? But I agree with you. Yahweh wasn't going to be approached in a nonchalant manner and He would be honored in every step taken.

One thing that I got from these Scriptures is when Michal saw David dancing before The Lord, it violated her image of him as king. Sometimes when folks see how someone else worships Yahweh, do I despise them in my heart as Michal did?

It's good for us to do these self checks. Years ago I was in church and watching some of the people running around and wondering what they were doing. I wasn't being critical in my spirit about it but I kept wondering if they were really being touched or not. The Lord told me to mind my own business...LOL. So I did and entered into worship instead of being distracted by them.

 

[HisSparkPlug]

Wait, where does it say every six paces?

Well this brings up an interesting question... was it EVERY six paces or was it just after the first six? .. hmmm...

 

[HisSparkPlug]

I watched a video the other day in which a teacher told of how he and a friend figured out the distance between the start & end point the ark of the covenant took on it's way back. Then they figured out approx how many steps it would take to get there.. By their calculations, David would have stopped to sacrifice an ox & a fatling about 3600 times!

If this is true, is it any wonder the man was dancing half naked by the time he got back??

So perhaps the different measuring which @standingup mentioned is applicable...
Or maybe it was only done after the first 6 paces ?
Thoughts?

 

[~Anastasia~]

Hmmmm, whatever translation I first read had me thinking it was EVERY 6 paces. In going back and reading multiple translations now, I can't really see why I assumed that.

Perhaps it was only at the beginning of the journey.

Perhaps it WAS every 6 paces.

The only thing I'm sure of is that I'm not sure anymore. The possibility of every 6 paces seemed very time-consuming and would consume a lot of animals, but ... surely the Ark of God is worthy of such care and sacrifice. So it may be.

On the other hand, maybe I'm just reading that into it.

But yes, it certainly may have been just a sacrifice for the beginning of the journey. Wow, I never really thought of an alternative, and I'm not sure why I always kept that image in my mind now.

 

[Standing Up]

To add a bit more:

Septuagent: 6:13 And there were with him bearing the ark seven bands, and for a sacrifice a calf and lambs.

KJV: 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

So, it looks like they start off, go a distance (whatever "6 paces" is), sacrifice one time, then move on with continuous song from a variety of bands.

 

[HisSparkPlug]

To add a bit more:

Septuagent: 6:13 And there were with him bearing the ark seven bands, and for a sacrifice a calf and lambs.

KJV: 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

So, it looks like they start off, go a distance (whatever "6 paces" is), sacrifice one time, then move on with continuous song from a variety of bands.

I wonder why the Septuagint doesn't mention bulls, but instead speaks of a calf and lambs?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

well considering since David was a progressive spirtual being for his time like Joshua and Moses were for theirs . it is possible God had compassion on the animals .

but weren't the beasts of the field created on the sixth day?

 

[Standing Up]

I wonder why the Septuagint doesn't mention bulls, but instead speaks of a calf and lambs?

Could look to the thanksgiving offering to see what they used. Perhaps that would clarify.

 

[Standing Up]

well considering since David was a progressive spirtual being for his time like Joshua and Moses were for theirs . it is possible God had compassion on the animals .

but weren't the beasts of the field created on the sixth day?

Well, if we're going to speculate, 6 steps, then rejoicing could refer to the time of man, then 7th day (from that point to Jerusalem) rest, rejoice, no more animal sacrifice (Christ as the end/fulfillment of the Law).

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Well, if we're going to speculate, 6 steps, then rejoicing could refer to the time of man, then 7th day (from that point to Jerusalem) rest, rejoice, no more animal sacrifice (Christ as the end/fulfillment of the Law).

yeah .. like that .

it's like taking those first 6 steps was such hard work for them . then the grace of God carried them all way . like the rest reserved for the people of God .

 

[Willie T]

It just says "six paces", not every six paces.

And, as I recall, isn't the distance between Gath and Bethlehem about 6 miles? (I'm not positive on that).... But figuring a "pace" to be a yard, wouldn't that be 293 oxen slaughtered per mile?

So six miles would use up around 1,760 oxen. (Six miles doesn't matter... you can go find the distance for yourself.)

That's a lot of bull s any way you slice them.

 

[HisSparkPlug]

It just says "six paces", not every six paces.

And, as I recall, isn't the distance between Gath and Bethlehem about 6 miles? (I'm not positive on that).... But figuring a "pace" to be a yard, wouldn't that be 1,760 oxen slaughtered per mile?

So six miles would use up around 10,560 oxen. (Six miles doesn't matter... you can go find the distance for yourself.)

That's a lot of bull s any way you slice them.

hahaha!