New International Version David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. New Living Translation David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. English Standard Version And David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD—and I will celebrate before the LORD. Berean Standard Bible But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, Berean Literal Bible And David said to Michal, “It was before YHWH, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of YHWH, over Israel. And I will play before the face of YHWH. King James Bible And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. New King James Version So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. New American Standard Bible But David said to Michal, “I was before the LORD, who preferred me to your father and to all his house, to appoint me as ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. So I will celebrate before the LORD! NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible So David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of Yahweh, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before Yahweh. Amplified Bible So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD [that I did this], who chose me above your father and all his house, to appoint me as ruler over Israel, the people of the LORD. Therefore I will celebrate [in pure enjoyment] before the LORD. Berean Annotated Bible But David (beloved) said to Michal (who is like God), “I was dancing before the LORD {YHWH}, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel (he wrestles with God). I will celebrate before the LORD, Christian Standard Bible David replied to Michal, “It was before the LORD who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will dance before the LORD, Holman Christian Standard Bible David replied to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, American Standard Version And David said unto Michal, It was before Jehovah, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Jehovah, over Israel: therefore will I play before Jehovah. Contemporary English Version David told her, "The LORD didn't choose your father or anyone else in your family to be the leader of his people. The LORD chose me, and I was celebrating in honor of him. English Revised Version And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation David answered Michal, "[I didn't dance in front of the slave girls but] in front of the LORD. He chose me rather than your father or anyone in your father's house, and he appointed me leader of Israel, the LORD's people. I will celebrate in the LORD's presence, Good News Translation David answered, "I was dancing to honor the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and his family to make me the leader of his people Israel. And I will go on dancing to honor the LORD, International Standard Version But David replied to Michal, "It was in front of the LORD, who appointed me to replace your father and his entire household by selecting me as Commander-in-Chief over Israel, the people of the LORD, that I danced in front of the LORD. NET Bible David replied to Michal, "It was before the LORD! I was celebrating before the LORD, who chose me over your father and his entire family and appointed me as leader over the LORD's people Israel. New Heart English Bible And David said to Mikal, "I was dancing before the LORD. Blessed be the LORD, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over his people Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation And David said to Michal, It was before the LORD, who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, World English Bible David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before Yahweh. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David says to Michal, “Before YHWH, who fixed on me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me leader over the people of YHWH, and over Israel—indeed, I played before YHWH; Berean Literal Bible And David said to Michal, “It was before YHWH, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of YHWH, over Israel. And I will play before the face of YHWH. Young's Literal Translation And David saith unto Michal, ' -- Before Jehovah, who fixed on me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me leader over the people of Jehovah, and over Israel, -- yea, I played before Jehovah; Smith's Literal Translation And David will say to Michal, Before Jehovah who chose in me above thy father and above all his house, to appoint me leader over the people of Jehovah, over Israel: and I played before Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David said to Michol: Before the Lord, who chose me rather than thy father, and than all his house, and commanded me to be ruler over the people of the Lord in Israel, Catholic Public Domain Version And David said to Michal: “Before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father, and rather than his entire house, and who commanded me, that I should be the leader over the people of the Lord in Israel, New American Bible But David replied to Michal: “I was dancing before the LORD. As the LORD lives, who chose me over your father and all his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people, Israel, not only will I make merry before the LORD, New Revised Standard Version David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me in place of your father and all his household, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD, that I have danced before the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David said to Malchel, It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father and rather than all his house, and appointed me to be a ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel; it was because of him that I danced before the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David said to Malkel: “It was in the presence of LORD JEHOVAH who chose me from your father and from all his house and commanded me that I would be the Leader over the people of LORD JEHOVAH over Israel; because of that I danced before LORD JEHOVAH OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David said unto Michal: 'Before the LORD, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel, before the LORD will I make merry. Brenton Septuagint Translation And David said to Melchol, I will dance before the Lord. Blessed be the Lord who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to make me head over his people, even over Israel: therefore I will play, and dance before the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Michal's Contempt for David…20As soon as David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.” 21But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, 22and I will humiliate and humble myself even more than this. Yet I will be honored by the maidservants of whom you have spoken.”… Cross References But David said to Michal, 2 Samuel 3:14-16 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.” / So Ish-bosheth sent and took Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. / Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home. 1 Samuel 19:11-17 Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped. / Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. … 1 Samuel 18:20-27 Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David, and when this was reported to Saul, it pleased him. / “I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” / Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’” … “I was dancing before the LORD, 1 Chronicles 15:29 As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart. Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. Exodus 15:20-21 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. / And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.” who chose me over your father and all his house 1 Samuel 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” 1 Samuel 15:28 So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. 1 Samuel 13:14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.” when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. 2 Samuel 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” 1 Chronicles 11:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” 1 Samuel 16:12-13 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. I will celebrate before the LORD, 1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. Psalm 95:1-2 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! / Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song. Psalm 100:1-2 A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. / Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs. 1 Samuel 18:7 And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Treasury of Scripture And David said to Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before your father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. before 2 Samuel 6:14,16 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod… 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. chose 1 Samuel 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee. 1 Samuel 15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. 1 Samuel 16:1,12 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons… play 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 1 Chronicles 15:29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart. Jump to Previous Appoint Celebrate Chose David House Israel Merry Michal Play Prince Rather RulerJump to Next Appoint Celebrate Chose David House Israel Merry Michal Play Prince Rather Ruler2 Samuel 6 1. David fetches the ark from Kirjath Jearim on a new cart,6. Uzzah is smitten at Perez Uzzah 9. God blesses Obed-Edom for the ark 12. David brings the ark into Zion with sacrifices, and dances before it; 16. for which Michal despises him 17. He places it in a tabernacle with great joy and feasting 20. Michal, reproving David for his joy, is childless to her death But David said to Michal, David answered his wife directly, exposing the division between Saul’s house and the king God had chosen to replace Saul. 2Sa 3:14-16 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul… “I was dancing before the LORD, His actions were not intended to gain public attention but to honor God as the ark was brought into Jerusalem. 1Ch 15:29 As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering… who chose me over your father and all his house David reminded Michal that Saul’s dynasty had lost the kingdom through disobedience, while God had established David in its place. 1Sa 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, How long are you going to mourn… when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. David regarded his kingship as a responsibility received from God, not a position sustained by royal dignity or public approval. 2Sa 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us,… I will celebrate before the LORD, He would continue to worship openly, giving God greater honor than the expectations of the royal court. 1Ch 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe second king of Israel, known for his deep relationship with God and his role in establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. 2. Michal The daughter of Saul and wife of David, who criticized David for his exuberant worship as the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. 3. The LORD The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who chose David to be king over Israel. 4. The Ark of the Covenant A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with His people. 5. Jerusalem The city that David established as the capital of Israel and the central place of worship. Teaching Points God's Sovereign ChoiceDavid acknowledges that his position as king is due to God's sovereign choice, not human merit. This reminds us to recognize and submit to God's authority in our lives. Worship with Abandon David's uninhibited worship serves as a model for us to express our love and reverence for God without fear of human judgment. Prioritizing God's Approval David's response to Michal shows that pleasing God should take precedence over seeking approval from others, even those close to us. Joy in God's Presence The joy David experiences in God's presence is a reminder of the joy available to us when we live in close relationship with Him. Respect for Sacred Things The event underscores the importance of respecting what is sacred and approaching God with reverence and awe. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 6:21?2. How does David's response in 2 Samuel 6:21 demonstrate humility before God? 3. What does "chosen me over your father" reveal about God's sovereign choices? 4. How can we prioritize God's approval over human opinions in our daily lives? 5. Connect David's worship in 2 Samuel 6:21 with Romans 12:1's call to worship. 6. How can we emulate David's joy and freedom in worship today? 7. Why did David dance before the LORD in 2 Samuel 6:21? 8. How does 2 Samuel 6:21 reflect David's relationship with God? 9. What cultural significance does dancing have in 2 Samuel 6:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 6? (21) Therefore will I play.--Rather, have I danced. (See 2Samuel 6:5.) Before the Lord.--David first gives the true and sufficient reason of his conduct--what he had done was before the Lord, in honouring whom no man can be really humbled; and then he turns with a reproof to Michal, which should have shown her the utter unworthiness of her objections. God had set aside her father and his house for this very spirit of pride in which she was now indulging, and had chosen him instead. Verse 21. - It was before the Lord. The Hebrew is much more forcible than the confused rendering of our version. "Before Jehovah, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over Jehovah's people, over Israel, yea, before Jehovah I have rejoiced" (Authorized Version, "played;" but see notes on ver. 5). The preference of David over Saul was proof that that king's affectation of royal state, and his self-importance, were not pleasing in God's eyes. David’s answer to Michal reveals a worshiper captivated by God’s presence, humbled by God’s choosing, mindful of God’s judgment on Saul, assured of his divine commission, and resolute in joyful celebration. The verse calls us to honor God’s sovereign work in our lives and to worship Him freely, undeterred by human criticism, because His approval alone ultimately matters.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Davidדָּוִד֮ (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Michal, מִיכַל֒ (mî·ḵal) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4324: Michal -- wife of David “I was dancing before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel who אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that chose בָּֽחַר־ (bā·ḥar-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 977: To try, select me בִּ֤י (bî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew over your father מֵֽאָבִיךְ֙ (mê·’ā·ḇîḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 1: Father and all וּמִכָּל־ (ū·mik·kāl-) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his house בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house when He appointed לְצַוֺּ֨ת (lə·ṣaw·wōṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order me אֹתִ֥י (’ō·ṯî) Direct object marker | first person common singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case ruler נָגִ֛יד (nā·ḡîḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the LORD’s יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel people עַ֥ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc I will celebrate וְשִׂחַקְתִּ֖י (wə·śi·ḥaq·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play before לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the LORD, יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 6:21 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 6:21 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 6:21 Bible.com 2 Samuel 6:21 NIV |
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