Keraia
2 Samuel 6

2 Samuel 6:20

Michal’s Contempt for David · 2 Samuel 6:16–23
Read 2 Samuel 6

Translations

Modern
When David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.”
Traditional
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!
Literal
And David returned to bless his house. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How honored today was the king of Israel, who has uncovered himself today in the eyes of the maidservants of his servants, as one of the vain ones is openly uncovered.”
Latin
Reversusque est David ut benediceret domui suæ: et egressa Michol filia Saul in occursum David, ait: Quam gloriosus fuit hodie rex Israël discooperiens se ante ancillas servorum suorum, et nudatus est, quasi si nudetur unus de scurris.

Original

Hebrew
English
When David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.”

Notes

2 Samuel 6:1–23

Except for a brief reference in 1 Samuel 14:18 (see note), the ark of the covenant does not appear again after 1 Samuel 7:1–2. In that passage, the Philistines returned the captured ark to Beth-shemesh, and it was later taken to Kiriath-jearim. There, the ark was placed in the home of Abinadab.

The ark’s long absence during the reign of Saul is significant. It shows that Saul did not seek the Lord and was spiritually insensitive (see 1 Chronicles 10:13–14; 13:3). During Saul’s forty-year reign, the ark played little or no role in Israel’s worship or leadership.

In contrast, David brought the ark to Jerusalem. By doing this, David publicly acknowledged the Lord as Israel’s true king in the new capital (see 2 Samuel 6:2). The ark’s arrival showed that Israel’s political center was now also a place of worship.

Theme notes and profiles

David Michal Celebration

Events

Parallels

1 Chronicles 15:29–16:3

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Michal: Daughter of Saul; wife of David Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

David Jerusalem Judah, Tribe of Kiriath-jearim Michal Music Raca Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

David: King of Israel: Michal Rebukes Him for his Religious Enthusiasm Families: Good: David Family: Good: David Family: Infelicity in David and Michal Hyke or Upper Garment: The Jews Said to be Naked Without Irony: Michal to David Michal: Ridicules David on Account of his Religious Zeal Reviling and Reproaching: Michal Social and Family Prayer: David Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal