Michal Ridicules David’s Behavior
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When the ark passed through the gates of Jerusalem, it was placed in the tent prepared for it. “The service ended, the king himself pronounced a benediction upon his people. . . . “All the tribes had been represented in this service, the celebration of the most sacred event that had yet marked the reign of David. The Spirit of divine inspiration had rested upon the king, and now as the last beams of the setting sun bathed the tabernacle in a hallowed light, his heart was uplifted in gratitude to God that the blessed symbol of His presence was now so near the throne of Israel.” David returned to the palace and was met by Michal, who, with dripping sarcasm and irony, upbraided him for lacking pride of office.
“Michal, whose father had been ecstatic on more than one occasion (1 Sam. 10:10; 19:22–24), had no right to complain of David’s exuberance. But the occasion may have provided the excuse for giving vent to her pent-up feelings of ill will. She had once fallen in love with David as a young hero, but her marriage to him had soon ended with his flight from Saul. Now some 20 years had passed, during which she had been married to another man, from whom she had been taken by force and handed over to her former husband as a political prize after a long war against her father’s house. The proud daughter of Saul was full of resentment and ready to find fault with David, even with his zeal for honoring the Lord in what was then an acceptable mode of praise.” “David reminded Michal of the fact that her father had been rejected by the Lord, but he had been chosen. . . . David’s words were not pleasant, but they were justified [2 Samuel 6:21, 22].” And Michal “had no child unto the day of her death” (v. 23).
Worship should make us happy, not bitter nor finding fault with one another.
