2 Samuel 6:16

16 But as the Chest of God came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, happened to be looking out a window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before God, her heart filled with scorn.

2 Samuel 6:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 6:16

And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David
Being brought thither on the shoulders of the Levites:

Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window;
in the king's palace, to see the procession, which was very grand, and in great pomp, attended by a vast number of people, and with music of all sorts. She is said to be Saul's daughter, though David's wife, as having a good deal of her father's haughty temper and disposition, as appears by what follows:

and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord;
the ark of the Lord, by these outward gestures expressing the inward joy of his heart on this occasion;

and she despised him in her heart;
as acting a mean part, quite beneath himself, and unbecoming his royal dignity.

2 Samuel 6:16 In-Context

14 David, ceremonially dressed in priest's linen, danced with great abandon before God.
15 The whole country was with him as he accompanied the Chest of God with shouts and trumpet blasts.
16 But as the Chest of God came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, happened to be looking out a window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before God, her heart filled with scorn.
17 They brought the Chest of God and set it in the middle of the tent pavilion that David had pitched for it. Then and there David worshiped, offering burnt offerings and peace offerings.
18 When David had completed the sacrifices of burnt and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.