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 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: David tells Michal that he danced and celebrated because he was worshiping the Lord who chose him to be Israel’s king instead of Saul’s family. He says that’s why he will “play” or celebrate before the Lord. - Big idea: Worship before God is rooted in who God is and what He has done—David’s public joy flows from God’s choice and commission. - Key points: - David connects his public worship to God’s sovereign choice of him as king. - The verse highlights a tension between reverent worship and social/personal dignity. - It shows worship as a response to calling and identity, not merely decorum. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: This verse is part of the story of the ark being brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). David leads a celebratory procession; he dances before the Lord, and Michal (Saul’s daughter) despises him for it. David answers her in verse 21. - Story timeline: After David becomes king over Israel (and earlier anointed by Samuel), he brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem to centralize worship. The audience is the Israelite people; speakers here are David and Michal. The event likely dates to the early to mid-10th century BCE in the united monarchy period. - Surrounding passage (brief summary): - Verses just before: David and all Israel celebrate as the ark is brought into the city. David wears a linen ephod and dances with abandon (2 Sam 6:12–16). Michal watches from a window and despises him. - Verse 21 (this verse): David explains his behavior, pointing to God’s choice of him as king and saying he will celebrate before the Lord. - Verses after: David insists he will be undignified in worship if necessary (v.22); Michal remains childless to the day of her death, a detail the narrator adds (v.23). ## Explanation - Quick take: David’s worship—dancing and “playing” before the Lord—is an outward, even undignified, expression rooted in God’s sovereign choice of him as king. He refuses to hold back his praise because of human opinions or royal decorum. - In Depth: - God’s choice and human response: David frames his actions as a response to God’s prior action—God chose him over Saul’s house to shepherd Israel. His identity and authority are gifts from God, and his praise acknowledges that reality. - Worship vs. decorum: Michal represents a viewpoint that values royal respectability and social status; she sees David’s behavior as unbecoming. David counters that before God, his right response is joyful, even humiliating, worship. The episode raises the question: when should social expectations give way to spontaneous or humble worship? - Power dynamics: The verse subtly underlines the transfer of authority from Saul’s family to David. Michal, as Saul’s daughter, is a living reminder of the former royal house. David’s claim—God chose him instead—reinforces his divine right and the legitimacy of his rule. - The narrator’s judgement: The brief note that Michal remained childless (v.23) invites readers to see her scorn as significant in the story’s moral frame. Some readers interpret this as narrative judgment on her attitude; others read it as a tragic detail that complicates the characters’ moral standing. - Worship modes: The text validates exuberant, bodily worship as an appropriate human response to God’s action. At the same time, it raises pastoral questions about courtesy, family relationships, and the balance between public and private worship. ## Key Words Note: Hebrew glosses are approximate and meant to help sense the main words. - Bachar (בחר) — “to choose” (God’s sovereign selection of David). - Mashal (משל) — “to rule” or “to govern” (David’s commission to govern Israel). - Lifnei (לפני) — “before” or “in the presence of” (worship before the LORD, not merely public display). - Raqad / play/dance (רקד / to play) — related to dancing/playing: expresses the physical, expressive element of David’s worship. ## Background - Cultural: In the ancient Near East, kingship was often tied to divine favor. Public rituals, music, and dance were common parts of royal and religious ceremonies. David’s open dancing blends royal festival behavior with personal, religious devotion. - Historical/literary: The episode contrasts two royal households—Saul’s diminishing line (Michal) and David’s ascending dynasty. The narrative highlights political change as much as it does a debate over appropriate worship. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - Worship flows from identity: how God has acted (choosing or calling us) shapes how we respond. - God-centered worship may look undignified to people but is fitting before the Lord. - Divine election and human leadership are connected: leaders are accountable to God, and worship acknowledges that source. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Don’t let professional image or fear of judgment keep you from honest gratitude. Thankfulness can be expressed humbly in actions as well as words—small acts of service can be worship. - For parents: Model sincere joy and humility before God. Teach kids that worship can be messy and sincere, not just formal. - For leaders: Remember your authority is stewardship from God. Leading well includes public humility and giving God the glory. - For seekers: God values sincere heart-response over polished appearances. If you feel drawn to express gratitude, don’t be inhibited by what others may think. - Reflection question(s): - In what ways do I hold back my gratitude or worship because of fear of looking foolish? - Where has God “chosen” or gifted me, and is my life giving an appropriate response? - Short prayer: Lord, give me the courage to worship You honestly and the humility to remember all good gifts come from You. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “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.” - NIV: “David said to Michal, ‘It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD.’” - ESV: “And David said to Michal, ‘It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of you and your father’s house and appointed me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play before the LORD.’” - NRSV: “And David said to Michal, ‘It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of you and your father’s house and appointed me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel; therefore I will play before the LORD.’” - Why differences matter: The biggest differences are in how translators render “play” (celebrate, dance, play music) and “before” (in preference to vs. simply before). Translators choose words to balance literal wording and contemporary sense. “Play” in KJV can sound vague to modern readers; “celebrate” or “dance” clarifies the idea of joyful worship. “Chose me before/ instead of your father” signals preference/selection, a key theological point about God’s sovereign election. ## FAQs - Q: Was David being disrespectful or proud when he danced before the Lord? Short answer: It depends on perspective. David understood his actions as worship—an appropriate, humble response to God choosing him. To Michal, however, the behavior violated expectations of royal dignity and decorum. The text presents both views: David defends his worship as directed to God (not for human honor), and the narrator later reports Michal’s lack of children, a detail that signals narrative disapproval of her scorn. Overall, the story teaches that worship before God may look undignified to others but can still be sincere humility and devotion. - Q: Does this verse mean God prefers emotional, undignified worship over reverent, orderly worship? Short answer: No single verse settles a universal rule about worship styles. This episode shows that spontaneous, physical expressions of praise are legitimate and sometimes necessary. But other biblical texts and later worship practices also emphasize order, reverence, and respect. The point here is not to denigrate formal worship but to insist that authentic worship—whether exuberant or reserved—must be directed to God, truthful, and rooted in relationship with Him. ## Cross References - 1 Samuel 16:13 — God chooses David; Samuel anoints him, setting the stage for David’s kingship. (Why: highlights God’s choice of David.) - 2 Samuel 6:14 — “David danced before the LORD…” (Why: describes the action David defends in v.21.) - Psalm 149:3 — “Let them praise his name with dancing…” (Why: associates dance with praise in Israel’s worship life.) - Psalm 150:4 — “Praise him with tambourine and dance…” (Why: reinforces the biblical precedent for music and dance in worship.) - 1 Samuel 18–19 — Michal’s marriage to David and political tensions with Saul’s house. (Why: gives background on Michal and the Saul-David relationship.) ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators note the scene’s dramatic tension—David’s theological claim (God chose him) versus Michal’s social critique (he lost royal dignity). Scholars debate the narrator’s intention in adding Michal’s childlessness: punitive theological interpretation vs. narrative irony. The passage is often used to discuss appropriate modes of worship and the significance of divine election for public life. - 3–4 bullets for group study: - Read 2 Samuel 6:12–23 aloud. Where do you sympathize with David? With Michal? Why? - Discuss: How should leaders balance personal worship with public perception? - Consider modern contexts—what are “Michal-like” reactions today (criticism of open faith expressions)? How should communities respond? - Reflect on vocation and calling: In what ways has God “chosen” you, and how does that shape your worship and daily life? ## Related verses (to compare and contrast) - 1 Samuel 16:13 — God’s anointing of David (compare: God’s choice of David as the theological basis for his authority). - 2 Samuel 6:14 — David’s dancing during the ark procession (compare: the action David defends in 6:21). - Psalm 150:4 — Praise with dance and instruments (compare: biblical precedent for bodily worship and music). ## Talk to the Bible Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore this text interactively. Suggested prompts: - “Show me other Bible passages where worship includes dance and music, and summarize how they’re used.” - “Explain more about the relationship between David and Michal and how that shapes this story.” - “How have different Christian traditions interpreted David’s dancing—celebration, embarrassment, or theological example?”
