Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Samuel 6:19. It’s a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage in the Bible. Here's what it essentially means, explained simply: The Basic Story: This verse describes a significant event during King David’s time – specifically, when he was seeking a king to rule over Israel. David was offering gifts and food to various groups of people – men, women, and even children – in order to show his favor and establish a relationship with them. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he dealt among all the people, [even] among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men…” This tells us that David wasn’t just offering food to specific groups; he was distributing gifts and provisions to everyone . It's not about a preferential treatment towards one group over another. It’s a general offering. “…as well to the women as men…” This is the key point. David was giving food to both men and women. “To every one a cake of bread, and a good piece [of flesh], and a flagon [of wine].” This describes the specific types of food offered: Cake of bread: A simple loaf of bread. Good piece of flesh: This is where it gets interesting. It's not just any meat; it’s lamb , which was a very popular and significant offering in Jewish tradition during this time. Lamb symbolized sacrifice and the covenant between God and Israel. Flagon of wine: A large jug of wine – often associated with celebration and fellowship. “So all the people departed every one to his house.” This is the crucial part. After David offered these gifts, everyone started leaving their homes to eat the food. It suggests a sense of widespread generosity and a shift in the community's focus. What’s the Significance? This verse is rich with symbolism and has several possible interpretations: David’s Relationship with God: It shows David’s desire for a relationship with God, not just through political power, but through genuine generosity and hospitality. The Covenant: The offering of food was a symbolic act of establishing a covenant (a binding agreement) between God and Israel. It demonstrates a willingness to give and share. A Shift in Focus: It hints that David's focus was shifting from purely political power to building relationships with the people, showing them he cared for their well-being. In short, this verse describes a moment of generous hospitality by David, demonstrating his desire for a strong relationship with the people of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Explore a different interpretation of the verse? Discuss the context surrounding this passage in the Bible?