The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem
12 Now it was reported to King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” So David went and brought the ark of God up from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with joy. 13 And so it was, that [h]when those carrying the ark of the Lord marched six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened steer. 14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his strength, and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with joyful shouting and the sound of the trumpet.
16 Then it happened, as the ark of the Lord was coming into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked down through the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she was contemptuous of him in her heart.
17 Now they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of armies. 19 Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread, one of dates, and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people left, each to his house.
20 But when David returned to bless his own household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel dignified himself today! For he exposed himself today in the sight of his servants’ female slaves, as one of the rabble shamelessly exposes himself!” 21 But David said to Michal, “I was before the Lord, who preferred me to your father and to all his house, to appoint me as ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. So I will [i]celebrate before the Lord! 22 And I might demean myself even more than this and be lowly in my own sight, but with the female slaves of whom you have spoken, with them I am to be held in honor!” 23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
Now to be clear, it wasn’t that David wanted to demean himself further. Rather, the fact was that David cared more about rejoicing and celebrating God’s goodness than he did about his own dignity.
That is a huge lesson for us all. It may certainly vary in other cultures, but I don’t think any adult likes to look undignified. And again, the goal isn’t to look foolish. The point is to give God your all, in everyday life, and in celebrating His majesty and greatness.
God is amazing, above all things, and the very fact that He desires our praises is a stunning thought. The very One who created us, desires our adoration. The Lord of all things, who needs nothing, wants our hearts, and our devotion.
And in light of that, we ought to say along with David, “I might demean myself even more and be lowly in my own sight…” if only we might praise our God who revels in our worship.