“Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!”
This verse captures an incident that occurred when King David was bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. The Ark represented the presence and glory of God, and David wanted to bring it to a more central location in Israel.
David’s joyous return:The verse begins by mentioning that David returned to bless his household. It highlights the fact that David was joyfully celebrating and praising God after successfully bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem. David’s intention was to honor God and establish a place for worship in the capital city.
Michal’s response:Michal, the daughter of Saul and David’s wife, saw David dancing and celebrating before the Lord as the Ark was being brought in. She expressed her disdain for David’s exuberant display, criticizing him for “uncovering himself” in front of the servant girls. Michal’s comment reveals her lack of understanding and appreciation for David’s genuine worship and adoration for God.
David’s response to Michal:In the following verses, David responds to Michal’s criticism by explaining that he was dancing and rejoicing before the Lord, who chose him over her father’s household to be the king of Israel. David declares that he will celebrate before the Lord and be even more undignified if necessary. This emphasizes David’s heart of worship and his willingness to humble himself before God.
Lessons from 2 Samuel 6:20:
- True worship involves heartfelt expression:David’s response to Michal illustrates the importance of genuine and wholehearted worship. David was not concerned about his reputation or the opinions of others when it came to worshipping God. He freely expressed his joy and reverence for the Lord without reservation. This encourages us to worship God with authenticity and passion, offering our true selves to Him.
- The cost of true worship:David’s worship was not without consequences. Michal’s criticism and contempt for his worship highlight the reality that true worship may be misunderstood or opposed by others. However, David’s example reminds us that our focus should be on pleasing God rather than seeking approval from people.
- Prioritizing God’s presence:David’s desire to bring the Ark to Jerusalem underscores the importance of prioritizing God’s presence in our lives. The Ark represented God’s presence among His people, and David wanted to establish a central place of worship for the nation. Similarly, we should seek to make God the center of our lives and ensure that we create an atmosphere where His presence is honored and cherished.
In summary, 2 Samuel 6:20 teaches us about the importance of genuine worship, the potential opposition we may face when we worship God wholeheartedly, and the significance of prioritizing God’s presence in our lives. It encourages us to express our love and adoration for God freely and without reservation, seeking to please Him above all else.
