2 Samuel 6:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.

NIV: Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might,

NASB: And David was dancing before the Lord with all his strength, and David was wearing a linen ephod.

CSB: David was dancing with all his might before the Lord wearing a linen ephod.

NLT: And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.

KJV: And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

NKJV: Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.

The ark of the covenant inches closer to Jerusalem. David has established his house and his capital there, and he wants God's presence to join him. The procession is enthusiastic: "all the house of Israel" (2 Samuel 6:15) celebrates with music and dancing. But it's also worshipful. Levites carefully carry the ark, and every six steps, the people offer an ox and a fattened animal (2 Samuel 6:13). After decades of remaining in private homes or traveling with the army, the ark will finally dwell permanently with God's people.

David honors the Lord by wearing the linen ephod usually worn by priests. As king over Israel, David often takes a position somewhere between the common worshiper and that of a true Levitical priest allowed to offer sacrifices to the Lord on behalf of the people. Even so, although David is described as offering the sacrifices in this passage, it's likely he's directing the priests to do so.

As part of his own celebration, David joins in with furious dancing. He is a poet and a songwriter, so music is integral to his life and especially to his worship. The loud and percussive music is perfect for highly energetic dancing (2 Samuel 6:5). David dances and leaps with such vigor—and while wearing the ephod—that at least one person feels he's being inappropriate: his wife (2 Samuel 6:20). David counters that celebrating before the Lord in this way is honorable and good (2 Samuel 6:21–22).

Second Samuel 6:12–15 records the day when the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–22) finally reaches Jerusalem. For decades, it's either been in Baale-judah or carried with the army. At first, David had the ark transported contrary to the instructions in the Mosaic law, and a man died (2 Samuel 6:5–11). Now, the ark is properly hand-carried. The people celebrate with singers, musicians, and dancers. As David joins the celebration, his wife Michal watches with disgust at what she thinks is undignified behavior (2 Samuel 6:16). 1 Chronicles 15:1–28 gives greater detail to the procession.

In 2 Samuel 6, David decides to bring the ark of God (Exodus 25:10–22) to Jerusalem. This includes an enormous crowd and a great procession. Unfortunately, he doesn't follow the Mosaic law, and a man dies for inappropriately touching the ark. David leaves the ark at a house for three months before trying again. Moving the symbol of God's presence into the nation's capital delights everyone except David's first wife, Michal. She is disgusted by David's undignified enthusiasm. The same events are noted in 1 Chronicles 13 and 15.

David has established himself as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5). In 2 Samuel 6, the ark of the covenant reaches Jerusalem. Since its first home in Shiloh, it's been captured by Philistines, sent back home, housed in Kiriath-jearim, carried with the army, and returned to Kiriath-jearim (Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 4, 6; 7:1–2; 14:18). David first puts the ark on a cart, but the cart wobbles and God strikes dead the man who tries to save it. Eventually, Levites carry the ark to Jerusalem properly. Soon, David decides that God deserves a proper temple and asks if he can build one (2 Samuel 7).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.