I was once told or read…I honestly do not remember which…that in the days of Israel’s early history that when a Kingdom was conquered by another Kingdom that the rulers of the conquered Kingdom would be stripped down naked and forced to dance before the people as they entered their new city. Since hearing that, if this is in fact true I have always had a new perspective on 2 Samuel 6:12-16,
“Now it was told 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.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13 And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 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 shouting and the sound of the trumpet. 16 Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that 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.”
If the historical assessment at the top is accurate than understand what David is doing…
The Ark of the Lord is being brought into Jerusalem and David is, of his own free will, stripping down and dancing before the Ark. What is he indicating? To me based on the historical understanding I have, David is communicating to the people that he, the King of Israel, is actually subject to the King of Kings. Wouldn’t this make sense as to why Michal his wife is so upset? This was the behavior of a conquered king, not a ruling king!
“But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!”” -2 Samuel 6:20
She is saying David acted like a servant, not a king…
But David understands something about Godly leadership that Michal does not, that her father King Saul did not…
“I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished.”” -2 Samuel 6:22
Servant leadership is the greatest power amongst God’s movement and God’s people.
Tomorrow’s Reading: Psalm 51-53