2 Samuel 6:20

ยถ 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!

Then David {H1732} returned {H7725} to bless {H1288} his household {H1004}. And Michal {H4324} the daughter {H1323} of Saul {H7586} came out {H3318} to meet {H7125} David {H1732}, and said {H559}, How glorious {H3513} was the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} to day {H3117}, who uncovered {H1540} himself to day {H3117} in the eyes {H5869} of the handmaids {H519} of his servants {H5650}, as one {H259} of the vain fellows {H7386} shamelessly {H1540} uncovereth {H1540} himself!

When David returned to bless his household, Mikhal the daughter of Sha'ul came out to meet him and said, "Such honor the king of Isra'el earned for himself today - exposing himself before his servants' slave-girls like some vulgar exhibitionist!"

As soon as David returned home to bless his own household, Saulโ€™s daughter Michal came out to meet him. โ€œHow the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!โ€ she said. โ€œHe has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.โ€

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!

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:20 (KJV)

The verse 2 Samuel 6:20 captures a pivotal moment of conflict between King David's uninhibited worship and his wife Michal's disdain for his actions. It follows the triumphant procession of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, a day of immense spiritual significance for Israel.

Context

After the tragic death of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7), David carefully brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This was a momentous occasion, signifying the restoration of God's presence at the heart of the nation. David, filled with zeal and joy, danced before the Lord with all his might, clothed only in a linen ephod, a garment typically worn by priests. He was celebrating God's glory, not his own. Upon returning to his household to bless them, he was met by Michal, the daughter of Saul and David's first wife, who witnessed his ecstatic display from a window.

Key Themes

  • Worship vs. Dignity: This verse highlights the tension between genuine, passionate worship and perceived royal decorum. David prioritized heartfelt worship of God over maintaining a kingly image, an act Michal found disgraceful.
  • Humility of Leadership: David, the king of Israel, willingly humbled himself, shedding his royal robes (symbolically, by wearing the ephod) and dancing like a common man. This demonstrated his profound reverence for God, showing that even kings are servants before the Almighty.
  • Michal's Scorn and Pride: Michal's sarcastic rebuke, comparing David to "vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself," reveals her pride and disdain for his uninhibited devotion. Her perspective was likely rooted in her father Saul's more traditional, less spirit-filled approach to religion, contrasting sharply with David's vibrant faith.
  • The Nature of True Worship: The passage implicitly teaches that true worship is not about outward appearances or social standing, but about a sincere, unreserved heart directed towards God.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "uncovered himself" (Hebrew: ื’ึธึผืœึธื”, galah) does not imply literal nakedness. Rather, it refers to David removing his outer royal garments, possibly revealing the linen ephod beneath, which was considered less dignified for a king and more akin to common attire or priestly undergarments. Michal saw this as a scandalous act, stripping himself of his royal dignity before "handmaids."
  • "Vain fellows" (Hebrew: ืจึตืงึดื™ื, reqim) describes worthless, empty, or idle people. Michal uses this contemptuous term to demean David's actions, suggesting he behaved like a base, undignified person.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 6:20 challenges believers to examine the authenticity and freedom of their worship. Are we more concerned with what others think, or with expressing our genuine adoration for God? David's example encourages believers, especially leaders, to cultivate a heart fully devoted to God, even if it means appearing undignified in the eyes of some. Michal's reaction, on the other hand, serves as a caution against spiritual pride and judging others' expressions of devotion, especially when their hearts are sincere towards God. Michal's reaction ultimately led to her barrenness until the day of her death, highlighting the seriousness of her contempt for David's devotion and, by extension, for God's glory.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 6:16

    And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

  • 2 Samuel 6:14

    And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod.

  • Judges 9:4

    And they gave him threescore and ten [pieces] of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.

  • Philippians 2:7

    But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

  • Philippians 2:8

    And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • Mark 3:21

    And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

  • Nehemiah 4:3

    Now Tobiah the Ammonite [was] by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
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