David's Dance
By John Hendrix
Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6:14)
David was so thrilled to have the Ark brought to Jerusalem because he wanted to keep God at the center of his kingdom and his life. David loved God and leapt for joy at being able to honor him. During this time, David wrote a psalm for Asaph and his brethren who were appointed to offer thanksgiving and sing praises before the Ark. This is how it begins:
Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
(1 Chronicles 16:8-13)
We all know that David was far from perfect, but we know of no one in the Old Testament who was more fervent and enthusiastic-and expressive-in his love for God. The book of Psalms is full of David's praises for the God of Israel, the only true God.
It is possible that David-during this time of ecstatic celebration-let go of his good judgment and allowed himself to become indecent. We only hear this through the complaint of Michal (who may have had other motivations):
Now 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 whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16)
Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" (2 Samuel 6:20)
This may well have been a groundless charge. Chronicles tells us that David also wore a robe during this time (1 Chronicles 15:27). And it is clear that David (who could take criticism) did not accept the accusation:
So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor." (2 Samuel 6:21-22)
David, the king of Israel and Judah, told her that he willingly humbled himself before the Lord and would humble himself even more!
David's joy is an inspiration to us all. We all should have great joy in our service to God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…. (Galatians 5:22)
Joy is the natural and proper outgrowth of a Spirit-led life. Christians have times of trouble. They have sorrows and pains. But above all they should have an unlimited joy at being children of God!
And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:11)
Concerning Jesus, Peter tells us,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible …. (1 Peter 1:8)
We must have joy in living a Christian life and joy in worshipping our God. The worship of God is perfected in the expression of joy. Without joy, our worship is reduced, at best, to a rote recitation of the facts about God-facts that the demons know and confess.
Our prayers and songs of praises should be filled with exclamation points! Who is like our God? Who has created us? Given His Son so that we might be with Him? Looked down upon us with such love and mercy? Our glorious God!
Our God commands us to worship Him in a way that is fitting and appropriate (1 Corinthians 14:40). For instance, in that passage Paul tells us to only speak one at a time. Certainly, our worship of God must be focused on Him-not on our own emotions. God is high and holy, our words should be few and careful (Ecclesiastes 5:2). 1 Corinthians 14 teaches us to keep order in our assemblies.
It is possible that our emotions can cloud our judgment and lead to worship that is improper, even indecent. Worship is about praising God, not giving ourselves an emotional high.
Nevertheless, heartfelt praise is not indecent. We should not use the call for "decency and order" to enforce a formality that might quench the flame that produces fervent service to God.
The dance of David shows us how happy a servant of the Lord should be in God's service. We all should be as joyful as David.