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 6:17KJV
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2 Samuel 6:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 6:17 mean?

2 Samuel 6:17 describes how the people brought the ark of the LORD into Jerusalem and placed it in the center of the special tent David had set up for it. After setting the ark in its place, David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God as acts of worship and thanksgiving.

In this scene, King David is leading the Israelites in bringing the ark—seen as the symbol of God's presence—into the city. The “tabernacle” here is a tent David prepared, not the original tabernacle from Moses’ time. The verse highlights both the careful placement of the ark and David’s public worship, marking a significant moment in Israel’s spiritual life.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 6:17

  • “Ark” (אָרוֹן, aron): This word refers to the sacred chest that represented God’s presence among the Israelites. Its arrival in Jerusalem is a major event, showing the city’s new role as Israel’s spiritual center.
  • “Tabernacle” (אֹהֶל, ohel): The Hebrew word means “tent.” Here, it points to a temporary structure David set up, not the original tabernacle from the wilderness, which helps clarify the historical setting.
  • “Burnt offerings” (עֹלוֹת, olot) and “peace offerings” (שְׁלָמִים, shelamim): These two types of sacrifices had different meanings—burnt offerings were completely burned as a sign of dedication, while peace offerings were shared as a sign of fellowship and gratitude.

Why 2 Samuel 6:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David did not place the ark in the old tabernacle at Gibeon but in a new tent in Jerusalem, marking a shift in Israel’s worship practices.
  • The mention of both burnt and peace offerings shows a full range of worship—dedication to God and celebration of restored relationship.
  • The careful placement of the ark “in the midst” of the tent emphasizes its central role in Israel’s faith and in the life of the community.

Where else these words appear

“set” Hebrew H3322 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 30:38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • 1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.