2 Samuel 6

Mercy Seat

And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. 2 Samuel 6:2

The ark bears the name of Jehovah, the LORD of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim above the mercy seat. The mercy seat, where atoning blood was sprinkled, points to Jesus Christ, through whom God meets us in mercy.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Exodus 25:22 — The LORD will commune from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:5-12 — The cherubims shadowing the mercyseat; Christ enters the holy place by His own blood.

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 2 Samuel 6:13

As the ark begins its journey, David offers sacrifices. Every animal sacrifice was a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.

• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.

David as a type of Christ

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14

The king wears a linen ephod, a priestly garment, as he worships before the LORD. David as both king and worshipping priest is a soft picture of Christ, who is King and High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.

• a type of what is in Psalm 110:4 — Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek, said of David's Lord.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 7:1-3 — Melchizedek, king and priest, made like unto the Son of God.

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

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 6:17–18

Burnt offerings (wholly given to God) and peace offerings (fellowship with God) point to Christ's complete sacrifice that brings peace between God and man. Only after the offerings does David bless the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The whole meaning of the law points to that great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.
• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten.