II Samuel 5:17-6:23
For David’s bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and why the first attempt was fatally flawed but not the second, I refer you to the parallel passage in I Chronicles 13,15 and my corresponding commentary from April 5, 2023.
Today I’d like to briefly consider Michal and her relationship with David.
As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
2 Samuel 6:16
Once upon a time, Michal had loved David. (I Samuel 18:20,27,28) In those days she had saved David’s life, helping him to escape from Saul. (I Samuel 19:11-17) Then Saul gave her as wife to another man, Palti (I Samuel 25:44), but David took her back. (II Samuel 3:13-16) Now, as David worships the LORD, Michal despises him. She claims that it is because David’s actions are vulgar, being half-dressed in front of other women:
And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
2 Samuel 6:20
But is that really the issue? I doubt it. I bet there is a lot more going on there, with deep emotional roots. Perhaps Michal sees David as a usurper, taking the throne first from her father, Saul, and then from her brother, Ish-bosheth. Or perhaps she prefers her “interim” husband, Palti, over David. Or perhaps she is jealous of David’s other wives who have already borne him children. Or perhaps she has a wide array of perceived grievances. We do not really know. But one thing is clear: Michal’s love for David has grown cold, and so she does not share his heart of worship for the LORD. And David’s response is also clear: the LORD takes precedence over Michal.
So how about us? Are we, like David, ready to worship the Lord with our whole heart, regardless of what others think? Or do we, like Michal, allow our love to grow cold and focus so much on grievances that we can no longer join in worship? If there is some relational conflict holding you back from the Lord, it’s time to deal with that problem. It’s time to let it go. It’s time to worship.