And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
The bringing of the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim, nine miles distant, to Jerusalem took place after David was firmly established on the throne and free from foreign invasions, to honor the capital with the token of the divine presence. On the first procession thirty thousand leading men of Israel with the high priest and his brethren and the princes and leading men of the tribes assembled at Kirjath-jearim, and the ark was brought from the house of Abinadab on a new cart drawn by oxen attended by two sons of Abinadab. David, aglow with holy zeal, and all the house of Israel went before the Lord with exultant shouts and songs of rejoicing, with harps, psalteries, timbrels, cornets and cymbals, winding with solemn gladness along hills and valleys toward the holy city in a scene of triumph Israel had not witnessed for long. That rejoicing was broken by terror when Uzzah took hold of the ark at Nachon's threshingfloor because the oxen shook it and God smote him there. David was left astonished and greatly alarmed and questioning God's justice in turning gladness to grief, so that from fear he determined to leave the ark at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
The dancing with all his might took place during the second attempt after three months, when the ark was carried with reverent care on the shoulders of men of divine appointment in full obedience to the Lord's directions, with the chief men of the nation and a vast multitude gathered and following. After advancing six paces the procession halted at the sound of the trumpet for sacrifices of oxen and fatlings, so that rejoicing took the place of trembling and terror in a triumphal procession marked by sacrifices, dancing, and music. David had laid aside his royal robes and attired himself in a plain, simple linen ephod such as was worn by the priests, to take his place in that holy service as before God on an equality with his subjects so that Jehovah would be adored as the sole object of reverence that day. Wearing it did not mean he assumed priestly functions, since the ephod was sometimes worn by others besides priests.
David danced before the Lord with all his might in reverent joy and gladness as the ark was brought forward, keeping time to the measure of the song amid music of harp and cornet, trumpet and cymbal blended with many voices and praise that recalled God and exalted His holy name. His actions showed reverence for the ark and humility before God. God honored David's humility by letting His Spirit abide upon him. Michal despised David for laying aside his royal dignity. David's dancing was an act of worship and is not a model for modern ballroom dancing, which is associated with revelry and weakens regard for sacred things.
The bringing of the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim, nine miles distant, to Jerusalem took place after David was firmly established on the throne and free from foreign invasions, to honor the capital with the token of the divine presence. On the first procession thirty thousand leading men of Israel with the high priest and his brethren and the princes and leading men of the tribes assembled at Kirjath-jearim, and the ark was brought from the house of Abinadab on a new cart drawn by oxen attended by two sons of Abinadab. David, aglow with holy zeal, and all the house of Israel went before the Lord with exultant shouts and songs of rejoicing, with harps, psalteries, timbrels, cornets and cymbals, winding with solemn gladness along hills and valleys toward the holy city in a scene of triumph Israel had not witnessed for long. That rejoicing was broken by terror when Uzzah took hold of the ark at Nachon's threshingfloor because the oxen shook it and God smote him there. David was left astonished and greatly alarmed and questioning God's justice in turning gladness to grief, so that from fear he determined to leave the ark at the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
The dancing with all his might took place during the second attempt after three months, when the ark was carried with reverent care on the shoulders of men of divine appointment in full obedience to the Lord's directions, with the chief men of the nation and a vast multitude gathered and following. After advancing six paces the procession halted at the sound of the trumpet for sacrifices of oxen and fatlings, so that rejoicing took the place of trembling and terror in a triumphal procession marked by sacrifices, dancing, and music. David had laid aside his royal robes and attired himself in a plain, simple linen ephod such as was worn by the priests, to take his place in that holy service as before God on an equality with his subjects so that Jehovah would be adored as the sole object of reverence that day. Wearing it did not mean he assumed priestly functions, since the ephod was sometimes worn by others besides priests.
David danced before the Lord with all his might in reverent joy and gladness as the ark was brought forward, keeping time to the measure of the song amid music of harp and cornet, trumpet and cymbal blended with many voices and praise that recalled God and exalted His holy name. His actions showed reverence for the ark and humility before God. God honored David's humility by letting His Spirit abide upon him. Michal despised David for laying aside his royal dignity. David's dancing was an act of worship and is not a model for modern ballroom dancing, which is associated with revelry and weakens regard for sacred things.