Day 108 – 2 Samuel 6:20-23

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 6:20-23

"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 to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!"

(2 Samuel 6:20)

David returns "to bless his household." He has blessed the nation, and now he comes home to bless his own house. But Michal comes out with sarcasm instead of gladness. The first voice that greets him at home is not a voice of worship, but contempt.

"How glorious was the king of Israel to day." She says "glorious," but she means shameful. She accuses David of uncovering himself like one of the vain fellows. David did nothing lewd, rather, he laid aside his royal robes and appeared in the simple linen ephod, humbling himself like a servant before the LORD. Michal is offended by his humility. She cannot bear to see the king lower himself before God.

"And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD."

(2 Samuel 6:21)

David's answer is direct, "It was before the LORD." He was not dancing for the handmaids. He was not dancing for public applause. He was not trying to look foolish. He was worshipping before the LORD.

Sometimes we get so caught in how things look and fail to recognize who they are for. Then David reminds Michal of God's choice, "which chose me before thy father, and before all his house." Saul's house lost the kingdom because it did not have this heart toward God. David is saying, in effect, "The LORD chose me, and I will not be ashamed to worship Him." And he follows that up with, "Therefore will I play before the LORD." David is not apologizing.

"And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour."

(2 Samuel 6:22)

David says he will go lower still. "I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight." This is a great reminder for me. David is willing to look small if the LORD is magnified. He is refusing to let royal pride choke worship. He is saying, "If humbling myself before the LORD looks base to you, then I will be more base yet." Wholehearted worship will sometimes be misunderstood by those more concerned with reputation than reverence.

"Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death."

(2 Samuel 6:23)

The Holy Spirit finishes the chapter with barrenness. "Therefore" ties this judgment to what came before. Michal despised David's worship, mocked his humility, and the chapter closes with her having no child unto the day of her death.

Again she is called "the daughter of Saul." The line of Saul is fading, and Michal's barrenness becomes a solemn picture. Her heart despised what God accepted. She had a palace window, royal blood, sharp words, and no fruit. I see a consequence attached to Michal's despising of David's worship. A critical spirit toward humble worship can leave a soul barren.

A heart after God must learn to worship before the LORD, not before the window. It must bless the people, bless the household, and answer criticism by pointing back to God. If the LORD chose me, saved me, forgave me, helped me, and brought His presence near, then I have reason to worship.