2 Samuel 6:13-23: a reflection

13When those who bore the LORD’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 14David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the LORD’s ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 16As the LORD’s ark came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out through the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17They brought in the LORD’s ark, and set it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Armies. 19He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house. 20Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before the LORD. 22I will be yet more undignified than this, and will be worthless in my own sight. But the maids of whom you have spoken will honor me.” 23Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

As the ark of God is brought into Jerusalem, David is overcome with joy, and he dances before the LORD with all his might, wearing a simple linen garment, celebrating with abandon. But his wife Michal, watching from a window, despises him for it, and later mocks him for making a spectacle of himself, undignified before the common people. David's answer is unashamed: It was before the LORD. I will celebrate before the LORD; I will make myself yet more undignified than this.

Notice David's freedom in worship, and his refusal to be shamed out of it. He worshiped God with everything in him, dancing with all his might, unconcerned with looking dignified; and when he was despised and mocked for it, he did not shrink back, but declared he would be even more undignified, for his worship was before the LORD, not for human eyes. He cared more that God was honored than that he looked dignified before people.

That is a freedom worth having in our own worship of God. We can be held back from wholehearted worship by self-consciousness, by the fear of looking foolish or undignified, by concern for what others might think. But David danced before the LORD with all his might, and would not be shamed out of it. Worship is before the LORD, not a performance for human approval; and God is worthy of our unrestrained, wholehearted praise. Do not let self-consciousness or the fear of others' opinions rob you of wholehearted worship. Worship God freely, with all your might, unconcerned with your dignity or others' scorn, for it is before the LORD. Like David, care more that God is honored than that you look dignified, and worship him without shame.

Lord, when the ark came into Jerusalem, David danced before you with all his might, and when his wife despised and mocked him for it, he was unashamed, saying, it was before the LORD; I will be yet more undignified than this. Give me that freedom in worship. I can be held back from wholehearted worship by self-consciousness, by the fear of looking foolish or undignified, by concern for what others might think. But David danced before you with all his might, and would not be shamed out of it. Worship is before you, not a performance for human approval, and you are worthy of unrestrained, wholehearted praise. Do not let self-consciousness or the fear of others' opinions rob me of wholehearted worship. Help me worship you freely, with all my might, unconcerned with my dignity or others' scorn, for it is before you. Like David, help me care more that you are honored than that I look dignified, and worship you without shame.