2 Samuel 6:13

They that bare the ark. David had learned the lesson of complete obedience to God’s requirements. The ark was not now carried on a cart but, in harmony with the command of David (1 Chron. 15:2) and the word of God (Num. 4:5, 6, 15; 7:9; 1 Chron. 15:15), it was borne by Levites. The record given in Chronicles concerning the return of the ark is much more detailed and explicit than is the account here (see 1 Chron. 15:1–29).

Six paces. The death of Uzzah at the previous attempt to move the ark now caused David to proceed with extreme caution. The ark was at first moved only six paces, and when no evidence of the Lord’s displeasure appeared, sacrifices were offered expressing the people’s thanksgiving to God that His presence now was with them and His good will extended to them.

Oxen and fatlings. The Hebrew here is singular, “an ox and a fatling.” The 13th verse is not in the LXX. In its place this version reads, “And there were with him bearing the ark seven bands [or choirs or choruses], and for a sacrifice a calf and lambs.”