2 Samuel 6:20

20 But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! 1He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants' maids as one of the 2foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!"

2 Samuel 6:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 6:20

Then David returned to bless his household
His wife, children, and servants, to wish all happiness to them on this occasion, and pray to God for blessings on them temporal and spiritual. This was done when he came from the place where the ark was set, and was come to his own palace:

and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David;
before he had gotten quite to his own house:

and said, how glorious was the king of Israel today;
which she spoke in an ironical jeering way, meaning the reverse, how inglorious, mean, and despicable he had made himself to be, by his airs and gestures:

who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his
servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
because he had put off his royal robes, and put on a linen ephod; for that he had stripped himself naked cannot be supposed, nor do her words import so much though a passionate exaggeration of the case.

2 Samuel 6:20 In-Context

18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19 Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed each to his house.
20 But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants' maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!"
21 So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD , who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD , over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the LORD .
22 "I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished."

Cross References 2

  • 1. 2 Samuel 6:14, 16; Ecclesiastes 7:17
  • 2. Judges 9:4
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