Continuing on the topic of David's dance of worship (see yesterday and Tuesday), from the text in 2 Samuel 6:12-23 we can see another important lesson in terms of Michal.

Michal (David's wife) was offended by the display of worship that David gave the Lord, as the ark was entering the city. The Scripture says that she despised David because of it. The hatred in her heart did not come from God. She chose not to worship God, but instead, to watch another glorify God, as though it were a spectator sport to be watched. The act of worship is offensive to the human mind, as is shown here. Music can be enjoyable and dance entertaining, but worship (real worship) has an element of abandon and intimacy that is between just the worshipper and God. It is not meant for our carnal eyes or jealous hearts. It is meant for God.

Michal may have come up with a number of "logical" reasons for being offended by the worship of David. Probably foremost (though this is not completely clear from the text), was here own pride being damaged. She was linked most intimately with David, being married. Anyone who is married knows the sense of shame or humility that comes when your spouse does something embarrassing. The relationship of marriage allows the spouse to be connected with our every actions (oh joy, say some)!

Aside from that, she may have simply been jealous for the affections of David, and seeing him dance in his linen ephod, she thought the "disrobing" of David before the people far too revealing for her to handle. The problem with watching people worship (as Michal was doing), was that she was assuming that everyone else was watching too- rather than worshiping God. But the fact was, that all Israel was worshiping, and David was sure to include them in participating in honoring God on that day (see 2 Samuel 6:18-19).

We must remember to worship God, and not watch others as though we can judge their acts of worship. If we are busy worshiping God, we will not have time to be critical of others or to develop attitudes about the "godliness" of certain forms of worship.

Selah!

Kim Anthony Gentes

The above scripture is Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.

The Daily Worship Thought was written and Copyright © 1998 by Kim Anthony Gentes. Used by permission.