2Sa 6:1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
Again David gathered - he assembled them again for the peaceful purpose of bringing up the ark to Mount Zion . The whole narrative indicates the progressive consolidation of David’s power, and the settlement of his monarchy on strong foundations.
Thirty thousand - This is supposed to have been a new levy; and thus he augmented his army by 30,000 fresh troops. The Septuagint has 70,000.
2Sa 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
Whose name - The literal rendering is, “Upon which is called the Name, the Name of Yahweh of Hosts, who sits upon the cherubim,” i. e. the ark which is called after the Lord of Hosts and bears His Name;
From Baale of Judah - This is supposed to be the same city which, in Jos_15:60, is called Kirjah-baal or Kirjath-jearim; or Baalah, Jos_15:9. 1Ch_13:6 And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath-jearim of Judah, to bring up from there the ark of Jehovah God, He who dwells between the cherubs, whose name is called on it.
2Sa 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
The house of Abinadab in Gibeah - Rather, on the hill (as in 1Sa_7:1). It does not at all follow that Abinadab was still alive, nor can we conclude from Uzzah and Ahio being called sons of Abinadab, that they were literally his children. They may well have been sons of Eleazar and grandsons of Abinadab, or yet more remote descendants; since there is no distinct evidence that Abinadab was alive even when the ark was brought to Kirjath-jearim. The house may have retained the name of “the house of Abinadab” long after his death.
A new cart - Every thing used in the worship of God was hallowed or set apart for that purpose: a new cart was used through respect, as that had never been applied to any profane or common purpose. But this was not sufficient, for the ark should have been carried on the shoulders of the Levites only, and those of the family of Kohath, to whom no wagons were given, when others had them, for the above reason, Num_7:9 But to the sons of Kohath he did not give any, because the service of the sanctuary belonging to them was that which they should carry upon their shoulders. The neglect of this ceremony was the cause of the death of Uzzah. It is strange that so many priests and Levites, and of the people of Israel gathered together on that account, and David also, so well versed in the law of God, should not refer to it; perhaps they were led by the example of the Philistines, who put it in a new cart, and set it forward towards Bethshemesh, and were not punished for it. This mistake was afterwards seen by David, and rectified, 1Ch_15:2 Then David said, No one ought to carry the ark of God except the Levites, for God has chosen them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to Him forever;
They set the ark of God upon a new cart - This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violation of an express statute Num_4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set forward, then after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry it . But they shall not touch any holy thing lest they die. These are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. Num_7:9 But to the sons of Kohath he did not give any, because the service of the sanctuary belonging to them was that which they should carry upon their shoulders. Num_18:3 And they shall keep your charge and the charge of all the tabernacle. Only they shall not come near the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, so that neither they nor you also may die. Being taught, and encouraged to do so, by the example of the Philistines, who acted without any token of God's displeasure upon them for their handling of the ark, they did not sufficiently consider that God might wink at the Philistines, because they were ignorant of God's laws; and yet be angry with them for the same thing, because they knew, or might have known the law of God, which commanded the priests to bear it upon their shoulders. But their present transports of joy of the happy change of their affairs, and their greedy desire of having the ark of God removed, made them inconsiderate.
2Sa 6:4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
Ahio went before the ark - guiding the oxen that drew it, and Uzzah might go behind, or on one side, to take care that the ark fell not out of it.
2Sa 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.
Cornets - Rather, from the etymology of the Hebrew word (to shake), and their being coupled with the cymbals, and being rendered sistra in the Vulgate, some kind of instrument with bells or rings, which gave a sound by being shaken.
the house of Israel played before the Lord - That is, before the ark, which was a symbol of the presence of the Lord:
on all manner of instruments made of fir wood - which is a general expression, the particulars follow
2Sa 6:6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
Shook it - The use of the Heb. word here is unusual. the same word is used in 1Ch_13:9; and there it is rendered, "for the oxen stumbled"; and by their stumbling the cart was shaken, and the ark in it, and in danger of falling, as Uzzah thought: or "the oxen shook",
Uzzah put forth his hand - In Num_4:15-20, the Levites are forbidden to touch the ark on pain of death, this penalty was inflicted upon Uzzah, and he was the first that suffered for a breach of this law.
they came to Nachon's threshingfloor - Who is called Chidon, 1Ch_13:9 And when they came to the threshing-floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark for the oxen stumbled. he seems to have had two names; or it was a place that had two names.
the oxen shook it--or, "stumbled" (1Ch_13:9). Fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under the impulse of momentary feeling, laid hold of it to keep it steady. He fell dead upon the spot. This melancholy occurrence not only threw a cloud over the joyous scene, but entirely stopped the procession; for the ark was left where it then was, in the near neighborhood of the capital. It is of importance to observe the proportionate severity of the punishments attending the profanation of the ark. The Philistines suffered by diseases, from which they were relieved by their oblations, because the law had not been given to them [1Sa_5:8-12]; the Bethshemites also suffered, but not fatally [1Sa_6:19]; their error proceeded from ignorance or inadvertency. But Uzzah, who was a Levite, and well instructed, suffered death for his breach of the law. The severity of Uzzah's fate may seem to us too great for the nature and degree of the offense. But it does not become us to sit in judgment on the dispensations of God; and, besides, it is apparent that the divine purpose was to inspire awe of His majesty, a submission to His law, and a profound veneration for the symbols and ordinances of His worship.
2Sa 6:7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
Smote him there for his error - This may seem very severe, considering his intention was pious, and his transgression not great. Uzzah sinned through ignorance and precipitancy; he had not time to reflect, the oxen suddenly stumbled; and, fearing lest the ark should fall, he suddenly stretched out his hand to prevent it. Had he touched the ark with impunity, the populace might have lost their respect for it and its sacred service, the example of Uzzah must have filled them with fear and sacred reverence
there he died by the ark of God - directly, upon the spot, by the side of it; in what way, cannot be said; however, he died by the immediate hand of God, in token of his displeasure: and this shows that it is dangerous in matters of worship to act contrary to the command of God, even in things that may seem small and trivial; and though what may be done may be done with a good intention, as this was, yet that will not excuse the sin; nor are those who are the most forward and zealous in religious matters exempted from marks of God's displeasure when they go wrong.
there he died by the ark of God - Uzzah's offence consisted in the fact that he had touched the ark with profane feelings, although with good intentions, namely to prevent its rolling over and falling from the cart. Touching the ark, the throne of the divine glory and visible pledge of the invisible presence of the Lord, was a violation of the majesty of the holy God. Uzzah was therefore a type of all who with good intentions, humanly speaking, yet with unsanctified minds, interfere in the affairs of the kingdom of God , from the notion that they are in danger, and with the hope of saving them.
2Sa 6:8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
David was displeased - Grief allied to anger seems to be intended. He could not easily submit, and be reconciled to the providence; his heart was ready to rise up against God, and murmur at him for striking him dead in such an awful manner. This put a stop to the procession, and cast a damp upon their joy and mirth on this occasion, and might seem to be an ill omen to David, and be improved by his enemies against him:
Perezuzzah - the name he gave the place, which signifies "the breach of Uzzah", continued to the time of writing this book.
David was displeased - On further reflection, David could not fail to discover where the cause of Uzzah's offence, which he had atoned for with his life, really had lain, and that it had actually arisen from the fact that he (David) and those about him had decided to disregard the distinct instructions of the law with regard to the handling of the ark. According to Num 4 the ark was not only to be moved by none but Levites, but it was to be carried on the shoulders, not in a carriage; and in Num_4:15, even the Levites were expressly forbidden to touch it on pain of death. But instead of taking these instructions as their rule, they had followed the example of the Philistines when they sent back the ark (1Sa_6:7.), and had placed it upon a new cart, and directed Uzzah to drive it, whilst, as his conduct on the occasion clearly shows, he had no idea of the unapproachable holiness of the ark of God, and had to expiate his offence with his life, as a warning to all the Israelites.
2Sa 6:9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
David was afraid of the Lord that day - Lest he should be smitten for his error also, and especially as he had discovered some resentment at the Lord's dealing with Uzzah; when he ought to have been still and quiet, and submitted to the will of God, and owned his justice in it, confessed his own error, and been thankful for his sparing mercy vouchsafed to him:
how shall the ark of the Lord come to me - the meaning of which is not, how it should be brought to the place provided by him in Jerusalem, for there were Levites enough to carry it, but signifying that it would be either boldness and presumption in him to do it, since God had shown such a mark of his displeasure at their proceeding, whether it was the will of God it should come to him; An earlier consultation by Urim would have led him right at the first, whereas in this perplexity and distress, he was reaping the fruits of inconsideration and neglect.
how shall the ark of the Lord come to me - David's excitement at what had occurred was soon changed into fear of the Lord. If merely touching the ark of God is punished in this way, how can he have it brought up to the citadel of Zion ? He therefore relinquished his intention of bringing it into the city of David , and placed it in the house of Obed-edom the Gathite. Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of the Korahites, who sprang from Kohath, and belonged to the class of Levitical doorkeepers, whose duty it was, in connection with other Levites, to watch over the ark in the sacred tent (1Ch_15:18, 1Ch_15:24). He is called the Gittite or Gathite from his birthplace, the Levitical city of Gath-rimmon in the tribe of Dan (Jos_21:24; Jos_19:45).
2Sa 6:10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
Obededom - a Levite of the family of Merari, being a son of Jeduthun, who was a Merarite. 1Ch_15:18-24 And with them were their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers. And the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were chosen to sound with cymbals of bronze; and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with harps set to Alamoth. And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, were to lead with lyres on the octave. And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song. He instructed about the song, because he was skillful. And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew with the trumpets before the ark of God. And Obed-edom and Jehiah were gatekeepers for the ark.1Ch_16:38 also Obed-edom, with their brothers, sixty-eight; and Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be gatekeepers.
He was a porter, a player on the harp, and was one of the Levites especially designated to take part in the musical services on the occasion of bringing up the ark to Zion , and to minister before it when brought up. He is called a Gittite perhaps from Gath-Rimmon, in Manasseh, which belonged to the Kohathites Jos_21:25. Marriage with a Kohathite, or some other cause, would account for his dwelling in a Kohathite city.
So David would not remove the ark of the Lord - As yet, but wait a little longer, until he had more thoroughly considered of it, and made himself acquainted with everything relative to the ark, that he might know how to behave for the future, without giving offence:
David carried it aside into the house of - which was close by, on one side of the place where they were; this man was a Levite, as appears from his being afterwards appointed to be doorkeeper for the ark, and to sing praise before it, and so a proper person to commit the care of it to.
House of Obededom – he knew what slaughter the ark had made among the Philistines and the Bethshemites. He saw Uzzah struck dead; yet invites it to his house, and opens his doors without fear, knowing it was a savor of death, only to them that treated it ill.
2Sa 6:11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
The Lord blessed Obededom - Because he had the ark of the Lord in his house. Whoever entertains God’s messengers, or consecrates his house to the service of God, will receive God’s blessing.
The Lord blessed Obededom - him, and all his family, with spiritual blessings, and with an affluence of temporal good things; Josephus says, that Obededom was very poor before, and in a low condition, out of which he soon emerged, and came into affluent circumstances, so as to be taken notice of by his neighbors, and reported abroad;
The Lord blessed Obededom - The same hand that punished Uzzah's presumption, rewarded Obededom's humble boldness.
2Sa 6:12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
With gladness - Especially with joyful music and song. Being animated and encouraged by the blessing of God on the house of Obededom, because of it, and thereby freed from those slavish fears he was before possessed of, and filled with hopes of being blessed also on account of it; if not with temporal blessings, he needed not, yet with spiritual ones.
So David brought up the ark - The Vulgate adds to this verse: And David had seven choirs, and a calf for a sacrifice. The Septuagint make a greater addition in verses 13-14: “And he had seven choirs carrying the ark, a sacrifice, a calf, and lambs. And David played on harmonious organs before the Lord; and David was clothed with a costly tunic;” Nothing of this is found in any version, nor in the parallel place, 1Ch_15:25.
And it was told King David - By some of his courtiers who had heard of it:
it was told king David --The lapse of three months not only restored the agitated mind of the monarch to a tranquil and settled tone, but led him to a discovery of his former error. Having learned that the ark was kept in its temporary resting-place not only without inconvenience or danger, but with great advantage, he resolved forthwith to remove it to the capital, with the observance of all due form and solemnity (1Ch_15:1-13). It was transported now on the shoulders of the priests, who had been carefully prepared for the work, and the procession was distinguished by extraordinary solemnities and demonstrations of joy.
So David brought up the ark - When the ark had been in the house of Obededom for three months, and David heard that the Lord had blessed his house for the sake of the ark of God, he went thither and brought it up to the city of David with gladness i.e., with festal rejoicing, or a solemn procession. On this occasion, however, David adhered strictly to the instructions of the law, as the more elaborate account given in the Chronicles clearly shows. He not only gathered together all Israel at Jerusalem to join in this solemn act, but summoned the priests and Levites, and commanded them to sanctify themselves, and carry the ark “according to the right,” i.e., as the Lord had commanded in the law of Moses, and to offer sacrifices during the procession, and sin songs, i.e., psalms, with musical accompaniment. In the very condensed account before us, all that is mentioned is the carrying of the ark, the sacrificing during the march, and the festivities of the king and people. But even from these few facts we see that David had discovered his former mistake, and had given up the idea of removing the ark upon a carriage as a transgression of the law.
2Sa 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings - The meaning is, not that they sacrificed oxen and fatlings every six steps, which would have been impossible, but that when - after the arrangement made by David for the Levites to carry the ark 1Ch_15:2, 1Ch_15:12, 1Ch_15:15 they had borne it successfully and with visible tokens of God’s favor, out of the house of Obed-edom and six “steps” on the road to the city of David to the sound of the musical instruments - then they stopped and offered solemn sacrifices. Possibly “the step” may have had a technical sense, and denoted a certain distance.
when they that bare the ark of the Lord - The Levites; for now David had seen the former mistake, and rectified it, and ordered the Levites to "carry" it, as they did upon their shoulders, with the staves therein.
had gone six paces, he sacrificed - upon an altar, which was at once erected for that purpose; the number and kind of sacrifices offered were seven bullocks and seven rams, 1Ch_15:26; and these David offered by the priests that were with him.
had gone six paces, he sacrificed - Some think these words mean that sacrifices of this kind were offered along the whole way, at the distance of six paces apart. The words of the text do not distinctly affirm that sacrifices were offered whenever the bearers advanced six paces, but only that this was done was soon as the bearers had taken the first six steps. So that, strictly speaking, all that is stated is, that when the procession had started and gone six paces, the sacrifice was offered, namely, for the purpose of inaugurating or consecrating the solemn procession.
2Sa 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
David danced before the Lord - The Hebrew word is found only here and in 2Sa_6:16. It means “to dance in a circle,” hence, simply to dance. The parallel passage in 1Ch_15:27 gives a widely different sense.
David danced before the Lord - That is, before the ark of the Lord; not a set dance, or along with others; but he leaped and skipped as "car", a lamb, does, and that for joy that the ark was like to be brought home to his house, without any token of the divine displeasure, as before
David danced before the Lord - at other celebrations of the different victories gained by the Israelites, none but women are described as taking part in it (Jdg_11:34; Jdg_21:19; 1Sa_18:6).
David was girded with a linen ephod - The white ephod was, strictly speaking, a priestly costume, although in the law it is not prescribed as the dress to be worn by them when performing their official duties, but rather as the dress which denoted the priestly character of the wearer (see at 1Sa_22:18); and for this reason it was worn by David in connection with these festivities in honor of the Lord, as the head of the priestly nation of Israel (see at 1Sa_2:18).
David was girded with a linen ephod - which others, besides priests, sometimes wore, as Samuel did, and which David might choose to appear in, rather than in his royal robes, as being more agreeable to the service of God, and lighter for him both to walk and dance in on this occasion. David laid by his royal robes, and put on this robe to declare, that although he was king of Israel , yet he willingly owned himself to be the Lord's minister and servant.
with all his might--intimating violent efforts of leaping, and divested of his royal mantle (in a state of undress), conduct apparently unsuitable to the gravity of age or the dignity of a king. But it was unquestionably done as an act of religious homage, his attitudes and dress being symbolic of penitence, joy, thankfulness, and devotion.
2Sa 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
all the house of Israel - The elders of Israel , and the captains over thousands, 1Ch_15:25; besides the common people; there might be as large a number with him now as before:
2Sa 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
She despised him in her heart - In the days of Saul the ark had been neglected 1Ch_13:3, and Saul had in everything shown himself to be an irreligious king. Michal seems to have been of a like spirit. She did not blame him outwardly; she thought he had disgraced himself, but she kept her mind to herself. Michal is intentionally designated the daughter of Saul here, instead of the wife of David, because on this occasion she manifested her father's disposition rather than her husband's. In Saul's time people did not trouble themselves about the ark of the covenant (1Ch_13:3); public worship was neglected, and the soul for vital religion had died out in the family of the king. Michal possessed teraphim, and in David she only loved the brave hero and exalted king: she therefore took offence at the humility with which the king, in his pious enthusiasm, placed himself on an equality with all the rest of the nation before the Lord.
2Sa 6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it - this was not the tabernacle of Moses, which was still at at Gibeon, where it continued to the time of Solomon, 1Ch_21:29; but this was a curtain, or curtains, which David had stretched out or drawn around for the ark to be pitched in the midst of; and this was not in his own house, for he is afterwards said to go to that, but somewhere in Jerusalem or the city of David:
in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it--The old tabernacle remained at Gibeon (1Ch_16:39; 1Ch_21:29; 2Ch_1:3). Probably it was not removed because it was too large for the temporary place the king had appropriated, and because he contemplated the building of a temple.
2Sa 6:18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
He blessed the people in the name of the Lord - David acted here as priest, for it was the general prerogative of the priests to bless the people, but it appears, by both David and Solomon, that it was the prerogative of the kings also. He heartily and solemnly prayed to God for his blessing upon them: which he did both as a prophet, and as their king, to whom by office it belongs, by all means, to seek his people's welfare.
as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings - Or these were performed according to his order: The burnt-offerings and peace-offerings were offered to consecrate the newly erected house of God.
2Sa 6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
A good piece of flesh - The word thus paraphrased is only found here. A piece of meat from the peace offerings is probably meant. From the fact that the chronicler explains the preceding cake by the more common word loaf, but leaves this obscure word unexplained, one might infer that it was already obsolete and unknown in his time. The Septuagint translates it: “a cake baked on the hearth;” the Vulgate “a piece of roast beef.”
A flagon of wine - Rather, “a cake” of grapes or raisins Hos_3:1; Son_2:5, or made with oil or mead.
A flagon of wine - but what such a vessel held cannot be said, though at least we may suppose it equal to a bottle of ours, or more; see Son_2:5,
A cake of bread - Such as those which are baked without leaven, and are made very thin.
2Sa 6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
Then David returned - He had passed his house to accompany the ark to the tabernacle he had pitched for it, when Michal saw him dancing. He now returns to bless his household. He had blessed the people 2Sa_6:18, but there were the inmates of his own house whom the customs of the age did not allow to be present, and so, with his usual considerate kindness and affection, David came to bless them also on this solemn occasion.
To bless his household - This was according to the custom of the patriarchs, who were priests in their own families. It is worthy of remark, that David is called patriarch by Stephen, Act_2:29, though living upwards of four hundred years after the termination of the patriarchal age.
How glorious was the king of Israel - 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: Proud of her royal extraction, she upbraided her husband for lowering the dignity of the crown and acting more like a buffoon than a king. But her taunting sarcasm was repelled in a manner that could not be agreeable to her feelings while it indicated the warm piety and gratitude of David.
Uncovered himself - We are only to understand by this expression that David had divested himself of his royal robes, in order to appear humble before the Lord, by assimilating himself to the condition of one of the priests or Levites. for we find that he was “girded with a linen ephod;” and consequently no part of his body was exposed, having only put off his outer garments. The terms uncovered or naked frequently mean no more than this in Scripture.
2Sa 6:21 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.
It was before the Lord, which chose me - David felt the reproach, and was strongly irritated, and seems to have spoken to Michal with sufficient asperity. He humbles Michal’s pride by the allusion to her father’s rejection, and shows by Saul’s example how little pride contributes to the stability of greatness. Therefore, for his part, he will not think anything done for the glory of God too mean for him; and if he cannot have honor from Saul’s daughter, he will be content to be honored by the maid-servants.
Exercises of religion appear mean in the eyes of those who have little or no religion themselves. If we can approve ourselves to God in what we do in religion, and do it as before the Lord, we need not heed reproach. Piety will have its praise: let us not be indifferent in it, nor afraid or ashamed to own it. David was contented to justify himself, and he did not further reprove or blame Michal's insolence; but God punished her. Those that honor God, He will honor; but those that despise him, and his servants and service, shall be lightly esteemed.
2Sa 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
I will yet be more vile - The plain meaning of these words appears to be this: “I am not ashamed of humbling myself before that God who rejected thy father because of his obstinacy and pride, and chose me in his stead to rule his people; and even those maid-servants, when they come to know the motive of my conduct, shall acknowledge its propriety, and treat me with additional respect; and as for thee, thou shalt find that thy conduct is as little pleasing to God as it is to me.”
I will yet be more vile - If this is to be vile, I will endeavor to be viler still; if to dance before the ark, and sing the praises of God, be reckoned a lessening of me, I will more and more be found in doing such things, or what is similar to them:
2Sa 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
Michal had no child to the day of her death - The children she brought up for Adriel were not her own, but adopted ones, or Adriel's by another woman, 2Sa_21:8; however, she had none after this time. And thus she that vilified David brought a reproach upon herself, as barrenness was always reckoned, and no one descending from her arrived to royal dignity, and sat on the throne of David; and so it was ordered in Providence , that the seed of David and of Saul might not be mixed.
