Doing It God’s Way

II Samuel 6:12-23

“And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.” (II Samuel 6:12)

After seeing how God had blessed Obededom because of the Ark of the Covenant, David was determined to bring it on to his capitol.  This time however, they moved it the old fashioned way God had intended rather than trying some new fangled technique.  There were no more problems.

“And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.”(II Samuel 6:13-15)

When the priesrts had carried the Ark six paces, they stopped and offered sacrifices to God.  David was so excited he couldn’t stand still, dancing with all his might.  He was wearing an ephod similar to what the priests wore, and again they were escorted with the band.

“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.” (II Samuel 6:16)

One of the reasons Saul had allowed David to marry Michal was that she loved him, and he thought he could use that to trap David.  When David fled for his life, Saul then married Michal off to Phalti.  Ishbosheth took her away from Phalti and gave her back to David.  The bonding between her and David were now messed up, contaminated with other relationships, even though it was not their fault.  The effect was the same as if each had had affairs.

Instead of being pleased that David was so excited, Michal despised his lack of dignity, because after all he was the king and ought to be dignified.  Her dissatisfaction with things in the past affects her current relationship with David, and she blames him for them, rather than her father.

Marriage requires total commitment from both parties, and once the bond is established with one person, an affair with someone else does a lot of harm.  In Deuteronomy 24:1-4 God forbid a person who had divorced and remarried to leave their second mate and go back to the first one, “for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”  The marriage will no longer be what God intended it to be.

“And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.  And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.  And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.  Then David returned to bless his household.” (II Samuel 6:17-20a)

David had had the Tabernacle set up for the Ark, and they offered sacrifices and offerings in away they had not for about eighty years.  When they finished with the sacrifices, David served a banquet to everyone there.  When it was all over, he went home to enjoy some time with his family.

“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!” (II Samuel 6:20b)

David didn’t even make it into the house before Michal was ragging on him about his lack of dignity, even accusing him of exposing himself like some kind of pervert.  What an end to a great day.

“And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.  And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.” (II Samuel 6:21-22) 

I am sure we have only the most important points of the argument, and from David’s comments she apparently compared him unfavorably with her father.  David stated that he had been rejoicing for hat God was doing, and that God hadn’t been all that pleased with her father, taking the kingdom from him and giving it to David instead.

Things escalated and David told her she’d be even more embarrassed by other things he’d do, and that the maidservants she said he was making a fool of himself in front of would be looking up to him.  Before it was over, they both said things that shouldn’t have been said, and left with hurt feelings.

“Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.” (II Samuel 6:23)

The marriage never recovered from that fight, and they never again had an intimate relationship.  Several times authors have said that couples need to learn to fight fair.  Recently one author said he no longer believes that is good advice.  Instead they need to learn to consider each other’s feelings and discuss things without having a fight.   Fights leave permanent scars and injuries, some of which never stop hurting.   Eventually the injured person just wants to avoid getting hurt again and avoids contact.