2 Samuel 6:19 Meaning: A Portion for Every Person
He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house.
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.
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, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed every one to his house.
and he apportioneth to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, from man even unto woman, to each, one cake of bread, and one eshpar, and one ashisha, and all the people go, each to his house.
And he dealt to all the people, to the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to every one a cake of bread, and a measure [of wine], and a raisin-cake. And all the people departed every one to his house.
Meaning in one sentence
When the ark entered Jerusalem, David gave every person bread, date cake, and raisin cake. What this generous feast tells us about worship and God's blessings.
Context
David has just finished offering sacrifices after the ark of the Lord is finally brought into Jerusalem. The first attempt ended in tragedy; this time everything goes right. Standing before the whole gathered assembly, men and women, David does something unusual: he blesses them in the Lord's name, then personally gives each person a portion of food. It is a king feeding his people at the climax of worship. And then they all depart, each to his own home, carrying David's gift.
Key Words
The key action is the verb vayechallek, he distributed or dealt out portions. It is the same word used for dividing land or inheritance. This was not a random handout; it was a deliberate sharing of the sacrificial feast itself. The gifts themselves are humble: chalat lechem, a round, flat cake of bread used in worship; eshpar, a word that appears only here and in 1 Chronicles 16, likely meaning a date cake; and ashishah, a pressed raisin cake. Early translators, unsure, guessed meat and flagon of wine. But the Hebrew points to sweet cakes, a taste of festival. Everyone received the same portion. No one was left out.
How Christians Read This Verse
Older English Bibles, following the Septuagint and Vulgate, pictured David handing out a good piece of flesh and a flagon of wine. Modern translations, drawing on comparisons with other Hebrew passages and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 16, conclude the flesh and wine were actually date cakes and raisin cakes. The difference matters for interpreting the scene: it was not a banquet of meat and strong drink but a sweet gift of baked treats, likely prepared from the sacrificial offerings. Yet across traditions, the heart of the verse remains the same: worship that pleases God spills over into generosity that reaches every single person.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers picture this as a raucous party with roast beef and free-flowing wine. In fact, the good piece of flesh and flagon of wine of older translations are almost certainly date cakes and raisin cakes. The Hebrew word eshpar is obscure, but the parallel in 1 Chronicles 16 uses a clear word for meat, which suggests the chronicler updated an archaic term. The feast was generous, but it was not a drunken revel. It was a sacred meal, shared from the peace offerings, tasting of sweetness and celebration.
Living This Out
David could have let the people go home empty-handed after the ceremony. Instead, he made sure everyone carried something away. This week, look for a way to give a tangible gift, a meal, a treat, an unexpected kindness, that tastes of celebration. It doesn't need to be large. A small portion given with joy can carry the sense of God's goodness. That is what David did. He sent them home with something sweet in their hands and gladness in their hearts.
Main takeaway: Worship that pleases God overflows into generous provision so that everyone shares in the joy of His presence.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
David gave everyone a special snack! He gave them bread, date bread, and raisin bread. Everyone went home happy because the king shared God's joy with them.
For ages 9, 12
When the ark came to Jerusalem, David was so happy he gave every single person, men and women, a personal gift of food. It wasn't just a snack; it was a celebration. The bread came from the sacrifices, and the date and raisin cakes were treats. David showed that when God blesses us, we should share that blessing with others in real, tangible ways. Think about how you can give something that says “God is good” to someone this week.
Questions People Ask
What did David give to everyone in 2 Samuel 6:19?
David gave each person a portion of bread, a date cake (sometimes translated as meat in older Bibles), and a raisin cake (often called a flagon of wine). These were likely part of the sacrificial offerings, shared with all who gathered for the ark's arrival.
Why did David give food to the people?
The distribution was part of the celebration after the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem. After offering sacrifices and blessing the people, David gave everyone a portion of the sacrificial meal. It was a way of including every person in the joy of the occasion.
Was the 'flagon of wine' in 2 Samuel 6:19 actually wine?
No. The Hebrew word 'ashishah' is better translated as a pressed raisin cake. Older English versions like the KJV followed earlier translations that guessed wine, but modern scholarship and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 16:3 confirm it was a sweet cake.
What does this verse teach about worship?
The verse shows that worship is not only about singing and praying but also about practical generosity. David's worship led him to provide for the physical needs of every person present. True worship overflows into kindness and sharing.
How does this verse connect to the story of Michal?
Right after this distribution, David returns to bless his own household and is met by Michal, who despises him for dancing before the ark. Her response contrasts sharply with the people's joy and shows that worship was personal for David, not about appearances.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study