S ) "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.'"
2 Samuel 6:21-22 (NASB)
O) Michal was a daughter of king Saul, and was actually David's first wife. With that in mind, it is easy to imagine what factors might have contributed to her bitterness. David was her husband, but (maybe from her perspective) he had alienated himself and been exiled for a long time. While away, he had taken other wives. When he finally came back, it was because her father was dead, along with most of her family. She knew that the people were enthralled with David, including the young women (see v.20), so she spoke harshly about David dancing in the streets before the ark of the LORD (as he had just recovered it). It is commonly held that David was wearing nothing but underwear, but we don't exactly know that. He wore a linen ephod (v.14), but the Bible also says he was wearing a robe (see 1 Chronicles 15:27). I don't think that Michal was angry with David for wearing something inappropriate, per se. I think she used that as an excuse for her anger over other issues. it seems more likely that she was angry at his joy. She saw him dancing and despised him (v.16). In David's response, he still addressed the topic she brought up. He pointed out that his dancing wasn't before his "servants' maids" as he was accused (v.20), but before the LORD. At that point, I think David struck a little closer to the heart of Michal's grievance by pointing out that God had chosen him over her father. Finally, in v.22, David summarized his bigger point. He knew that some would love him, some would hate him, and his goal was to humble himself in his worship of the LORD his God.
A) There were a lot of areas of David's life that were a mess. I can't ever exalt any men in the Bible too high, because they all had significant problems (which is a great encouragement, that God can, has, and will use flawed people, because His grace is enough). But, one thing I've always loved about David, was his heart to worship. David was in the highest profile position; as a king, every eye was upon him. Yet, he paid them no mind when he was genuinely worshiping the LORD, overcome with joy and thanksgiving. This is the example of worship I want to follow. I want to set aside my own dignity, and let go of any concern for the esteem others place on me. My value does not come from the appraisal of others, but from the LORD my God. How He sees me should be my only concern. So, just as David knew he couldn't really control his public image, but only made humbling himself in his own eyes his goal, I also will make it my goal to be humble in my own eyes, worship the LORD with sincerity, and leave the rest out of my mind.
P) Father, You are worth all of my humiliation. I cannot be embarrassed when I am pleasing You. In my worship, especially, help me to set aside any concern I might have for how others are seeing me. Whether I am lightly esteemed or distinguished, neither should be of any consequence to me. Instead, help me to focus on humility and true worship. If I am moved to dance with joy, let me dance before You without hindrance. If I am drawn to my knees with tears in my eyes, let me prostrate myself without hesitation. You are worth the sacrifice of my public image. Be glorified in my unabashed worship. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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