Scripture
Moving the Ark to Jerusalem
1Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2He led them to Baalah of Judah[1] to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,[2] who is enthroned between the cherubim. 3They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart 4that carried the Ark of God.[3] Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 5David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs[4] and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.
6But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this.[5] So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.
8David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today.
9David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” 10So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 11The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.
12Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 13After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.[6] 15So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
Michal’s Contempt for David
16But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.
17They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 18When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 19Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates,[7] and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.
20When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”
21David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 22Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 23So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
Translation notes (7)
- 6:2a Hebrew Baale of Judah, another name for Kiriath-jearim; compare 1 Chr 13:6.
- 6:2b Or the Ark of God where the Name is proclaimed—the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
- 6:4 As in Dead Sea Scrolls and some Greek manuscripts; Masoretic Text reads 4and they brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill, with the Ark of God.
- 6:5 As in Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek version (see also 1 Chr 13:8); Masoretic Text reads before the Lord with all manner of cypress wood.
- 6:7 As in Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text reads because of his irreverence.
- 6:14 Hebrew a linen ephod.
- 6:19 Or a portion of meat. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!
Many conflicts that we face in our relationships grow due to the harsh words we spew without thinking about their impact. We tear down our spouses, other family members, and friends without a second thought. Before we know it, conflict erupts and some of the most important relationships in our lives are fractured. Conflict is inevitable in our relationships, but if we keep our words in check and refuse to speak harshly or unkindly, we can avoid even more heartache and fractured relationships. We cannot control conflict, but we can control our responses to conflict when it comes.
King David was one person in Scripture who learned that conflict comes with relationships, particularly his marriage relationships. Although David was a good king and known by God as "a man after His own heart" in 1 Samuel 13:14, he had conflict in some of his marriage relationships, beginning with his first wife, Michal. We get a glimpse into Michal and David's relationship in 2 Samuel 6. In this interesting story, David was celebrating throughout Jerusalem because the Arc of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God, was back in Jerusalem. Because the Arc of the Covenant represented God's presence, it was a big deal that it was back. As a result, David began "dancing and leaping" throughout the city to celebrate. Unfortunately, Michal found David's behavior inappropriate and embarrassing, and she told him this when he returned home (verse 22). Conflict ensued. David responded to her defending what he had done. He said, "Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!" (verse 22). This interaction is the last we read about David and Michal's relationship. This conflict was the dark shadow that hung over their relationship.
We can expect conflict in all of our relationships. It is inevitable. Take a few minutes to think about your relationships. Are any of these relationships facing conflict? If so, how are you responding? How might preparing for conflict help you respond better when it arrives? Unavoidable conflict is bound to arise in our relationships, but we can control how we respond. When it comes, will we respond with anger and harsh words like David and Michal did, or will we respond with kindness, compassion, understanding, and grace? We get to choose how we will respond to inevitable conflict. Let's ask the Lord today to give us grace, kindness, and kindness to everyone in our lives, even in the middle of conflict.
Moving toward action
What conflicts are you facing right now? Maybe you are having conflict with your spouse, family member, friend, or coworker. Whatever that conflict is, pray. Ask God to help you face this conflict. Tell Him what you are facing and ask Him to help you in this conflict. Ask Him for peace and wisdom to respond well. Maybe you and your spouse need the help of a counselor or pastor. If so, please reach out for that help. Acknowledging that need will help lead you on a path toward healing.
Going Deeper
2 Samuel 6:1-23 (NLT)
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