It's Complicated (S2): WK 2 - FRI
2 Samuel 6:16-23
But 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.
They 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. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of
the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in
the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people
returned to their homes.
When 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!”
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! But those servant girls you
mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” So Michal, the daughter of Saul,
remained childless throughout her entire life.
Contempt is such a strong word. As the Ark of the Covenant and the dancing procession approach the city center, the loud throng passes the palace. Michal, David’s wife, gathers at a window to observe the parade. Suddenly, her jaw drops when she catches sight of her husband, barely recognizable in the crowd. He has stripped off the robes that identify his royalty. She sees him twirl and jump, twisting and shouting. Has he lost his mind? How humiliating. Michal feels nothing but contempt.
Have you noticed how often we look down on things we don’t understand? We turn our noses up at food we don’t recognize, make fun of accents from incredibly complex languages, and mock ideas because they aren’t our own. I’m not sure if it’s a way to feel better about ourselves or a defense against having to learn something new. Either way, most of us are quick to judge our differences and eager to share those judgments with others. Maybe we should slow down and be forewarned.
David comes home after an intense day of full-bodied worship, hoping to share the blessing with his family. It’s been a wonderful day placing God at the center of his world. Then, as he kicks off his shoes and sets aside his barely worn robes, he is met with angry insults. Michal’s judgment is that David’s worship is completely wrong.
The core of Michal’s intensity is her humiliation that David has not upheld his superiority over the people. He took off his royal robes and dressed in simple undergarments, then danced like a fool. The main point for us? She feels very comfortable judging David’s worship. This, the scriptures condemn.
High church vs. modern worship, drums vs. the organ, T-shirts and jeans or suit and tie—there are many ways to divide into arguments. However, ultimately, most of these debates come down to a readiness to judge others in ways that are harmful and offensive to Christ. We can learn from respectful, open dialogue, and we should align our worship practices with Scripture, always aiming to grow closer to Jesus. But don’t assume that God welcomes our criticism of anyone’s worship. We are called to care, to love, and to end the worship wars.
A final thought. How should you respond when faced with unfair judgment about your sincere worship? Do what David did: examine your motivation, surrender yourself to God, and double down. If your spirit is in the right place, commit to worshipping more fully than you did yesterday. Dance, my friend. Dance.
1. How many different countries in the world have you visited? How many different
states of the Union? What are your favorites?
2. Have you ever been told you have an accent? Where from?
3. Which form or aspect of worship do you find easiest to criticize? What have you found
that takes away a critical attitude?
But 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.
They 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. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of
the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in
the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people
returned to their homes.
When 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!”
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! But those servant girls you
mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” So Michal, the daughter of Saul,
remained childless throughout her entire life.
Contempt is such a strong word. As the Ark of the Covenant and the dancing procession approach the city center, the loud throng passes the palace. Michal, David’s wife, gathers at a window to observe the parade. Suddenly, her jaw drops when she catches sight of her husband, barely recognizable in the crowd. He has stripped off the robes that identify his royalty. She sees him twirl and jump, twisting and shouting. Has he lost his mind? How humiliating. Michal feels nothing but contempt.
Have you noticed how often we look down on things we don’t understand? We turn our noses up at food we don’t recognize, make fun of accents from incredibly complex languages, and mock ideas because they aren’t our own. I’m not sure if it’s a way to feel better about ourselves or a defense against having to learn something new. Either way, most of us are quick to judge our differences and eager to share those judgments with others. Maybe we should slow down and be forewarned.
David comes home after an intense day of full-bodied worship, hoping to share the blessing with his family. It’s been a wonderful day placing God at the center of his world. Then, as he kicks off his shoes and sets aside his barely worn robes, he is met with angry insults. Michal’s judgment is that David’s worship is completely wrong.
The core of Michal’s intensity is her humiliation that David has not upheld his superiority over the people. He took off his royal robes and dressed in simple undergarments, then danced like a fool. The main point for us? She feels very comfortable judging David’s worship. This, the scriptures condemn.
High church vs. modern worship, drums vs. the organ, T-shirts and jeans or suit and tie—there are many ways to divide into arguments. However, ultimately, most of these debates come down to a readiness to judge others in ways that are harmful and offensive to Christ. We can learn from respectful, open dialogue, and we should align our worship practices with Scripture, always aiming to grow closer to Jesus. But don’t assume that God welcomes our criticism of anyone’s worship. We are called to care, to love, and to end the worship wars.
A final thought. How should you respond when faced with unfair judgment about your sincere worship? Do what David did: examine your motivation, surrender yourself to God, and double down. If your spirit is in the right place, commit to worshipping more fully than you did yesterday. Dance, my friend. Dance.
1. How many different countries in the world have you visited? How many different
states of the Union? What are your favorites?
2. Have you ever been told you have an accent? Where from?
3. Which form or aspect of worship do you find easiest to criticize? What have you found
that takes away a critical attitude?
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