2 Samuel 6

V 1–2: DESIRE David has a commendable desire to bring back the ark of God to its central position. V 3–8: DOWNFALL Sadly, he ignores the command of Scripture, that the ark must be borne by men carrying it on poles, to be located in the rings fixed on the ark for that purpose. Uzzah offends God’s holiness, clearly taught before, by touching the ark when the oxen, which pull the cart, stumble. The ark was wrongfully carried on a cart. God slays Uzza. David, in his ignorance, negligence, or forgetfulness, is angry. V 9–11: DREAD David is also afraid of the Lord and will not take the ark into the city of David. The ark stays with the household of Obed-Edom, the Gittite, and God’s blessing rests upon his household. V 12–16a: DELIGHT Hearing of the blessing of Obed-Edom, David has the ark carried by bearers to the City of David. Sacrifices, shouting, and the sound of a trumpet are augmented by David’s vigorous leaping, whirling and dancing before the Lord. There is delight at the return of the ark. V 16b: DESPISED Michal, David’s wife who was returned to him by Abner, despises David in her heart as she sees him dancing so enthusiastically. V 17–19: DEVOTION David continues with offerings, showing his devotion to the Lord, and distributes food to the people. V 20–23: DOMESTIC Returning to bless his own household, David has a serious domestic dispute with Michal. She accuses him of immodesty in his earlier gyrating. He protests that this was before the Lord, and that he will play music before the Lord also. He protests her opposition and states that he will be held in honour. Michal will never bear children to David. Whether the cause is David’s possible abstention from sexual relations with her or simply because God prevented conception, we do not know. Also, opinions are divided as to who is right—David or Michal. Immodesty must never occur in worship, and in the Bible, dancing often accompanies sin. Worship should be conducted ‘decently and in order’. But God-honouring, enthusiastic and spontaneous rejoicing should be encouraged.