Lectionary Year B
July 13, 2003
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19

Step I: Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The English Standard Version and the Revised Standard Version differ some, as here indicated:

2d who sits enthroned on the cherubim. - ESV
who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. - RSV

5 making merry before the LORD - ESV
were celebrating with all their might before the LORD - RSV

17d And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. - ESV
and David offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD. - RSV

19d a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins - ESV
a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins - RSV

B. Textural Criticism

(JFC) 1 For, @s,YOw:, the hiphil, imperfect, 3rd person plural printed, it is suggested we read with the Septuagint, @soa/y,w;, a qal, imperfect, 3rd person singular and (dA[ probably deleted), which does seem to fit with the singular subject, dwID', and is no longer, in fact, with the suggested deletion, is shorter, than the received version, so could be original. 2 For yle[]B;mi, it is proposed we read with I Chronicles 13:6, tl;[]B;, simplifying the name and the construct, perhaps to be likely original. Driver's Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Books of Samuel, says of this redaction, "this is the sense which is required." 5 For ~yviArb. yce[], "tree/wood/timber of pine/juniper/fir" it is suggested we read with Chronicles (conferring with the Septuagint) ~yriyviib.W z[o, "strong in singing", which seems more to fit with the rest of the passage and especially this verse. Then, instead of the received, ~ylic,l.c,b.W ~y[in>[;n:m.biW, "and whirring locust and a musical rattler", Chronicles has ~wOrc.cox]b;W ~yTil.cim.biW, "and cymbals and rattling gravel stones" and the Septuagint reads, ~yliylix]b;W ~yTil.cim.biW, "and cymbals and flutes", all of which tell the same story in different words, making no differences in choices. 16 For the qal perfect hy"h'w>, it is suggested that the original might be a qal, imperfect with a waw consecutive, yhiy.w;, as in I Chronicles 15:29 and possibly original if it could matter. Then for rKer>k;m.W zZEp, "refining and whirling/dancing", a majority of Manuscripts reads, qxef;m.W dQer;m., "from skipping/leaping/dancing about and laughing/playing", both piel participles and as in I Chronicles 15:29, according to BDB. Either could be original and the bigger picture remains expressed adequately, clearly.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 Were brought together again/still/yet by David those chosen/selected in Israel thirty thousand. 2 And arose and went David and all the people who were with him from Baale-Judah to cause to go up from there the ark of Yahweh which is called by the name, the name of Yahweh of Hosts being/staying/remaining at the cherubim on it. 3 And they caused to ride the ark of Elohim/the leaders upon a wagon/cart new and they bore/carried it from the house of Abinadab which is in/on/toward a hill of Uzza and Ahio the sons of Abinadab were guiding/leading/driving the cart new. 4 And they carried/took/bore from the house of Abinadab which (is) on/at/by a hill with the ark of Elohim/the leaders and Ahio (was) going/coming/walking before the ark. 5 And David and all the house of Israel were dancing/making sport/playing before Yahweh in all trees/timber/wood of juniper/pine/cypress/fir and with lyre/harp and lute/guitar and with tumbrels/tambourines and with rattles and with buzzing locusts/spears. 12b And went David and caused to ascend/come up the ark of Elohim from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with joy/mirth/gladness. 13 And it happened that their having marched/stepped [qal, perfect] and they were lifting/bearing/carrying [qal. participle] the ark of Yahweh six strides/paces/steps he sacrificed/slaughtered/killed a bull and a fatling. 14 And David was dancing in all strength before Yahweh and David was girded by an ephod linen. 15 And David and all the house of Israel brought up/caused to ascend the ark of Yahweh in the sound of a tempest/battle-cry/war-cry and with the sound of a ram's horn. 16 And it happened that the ark of Yahweh entered the city of David and Michal the daughter of Saul looked down and out from the window and saw the King David in refined [piel participle] dancing [piel participle] and she held in contempt/despised him in her heart/mind. 17 And they brought the ark of Yahweh and set in a place in the midst of the tent which had set/made for it David and brought up David whole burnt offerings before Yahweh and peace offerings. 18 And completed David in the ascending/going up [hiphil, perfect] of the whole burnt offering and the peace offerings and he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of hosts. 19 And he shared/divided with all the people with the crowd of Israel to on account of a man to woman to man a cake of bread one and a portion of meat/cake of dates one and a sense of pressing down one walked all the people each one to his own home.



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