Dancing in the Street

O. T. #687  "Dancing in the Street"
February 3, 2016
2 Samuel 6-Part 5
...and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD...  1 Samuel 6:16 (LASB)

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been so filled with the joy of the Lord that you wanted to dance? I recall such feelings when our children got saved, and when we crossed over from our old sanctuary to our new one. Those were such joyful times.

David's procession went for a second time to get the Ark of God, bringing it back to Jerusalem, from the temporary storage at Obed-edom's house.
What are some of the details found in 1 Chronicles 15?

• The Levites must have taken their golden poles to use in transporting the Ark on their shoulders. (verse 15)
• Some of the Levites that were singers and musicians lead in the singing of joyful songs along the way. (verse 16) They chose a choir leader, also.
• Guards blowing trumpets walked in front of the Ark of God. (verse 24)
• David, the elders, and generals in Israel joined the great celebration parade. (verse 25)
• They sacrificed 7 bulls and 7 rams along the way because it was evident that god was helping them. (verse 26)
• Those who dressed in fine linen included David, all the Levites carrying the Ark, the singers and the choir leader. (verse 27)
• David also wore a priestly garment. (verse 27)
• So all Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD's covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams' horns and the trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres. (verse 28)

Do we dress in our best when we do to worship the Lord in the church house, or do we go casual and sloppy? Are we honoring God with all of us? I know that God looks upon the heart, but the outward appearance is an indication of the condition of our heart. Are we joyfully singing and playing instruments during worship, or are we solemn?

LET IT GROW

Getting back to 2 Samuel 6, we find the men carrying the Ark  and when they had gone 6 steps, David  sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. He must have continued the sacrifices until all 14 animals were sacrificed.
What else did David do?

• And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. (verse 14)
• While David danced in the streets of Jerusalem, his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, watched from her window.
• As she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with content for him. (NLT, verse 16)
• The ark was set into the special tent which David had prepared, not the proper tabernacle at Gibeon (1 Chron. 16:39).

David wore the garments of a priest instead of a king. He was not indecently dressed, exposing himself as a vulgar person in front of the servant girls.  David's actions were for the delight of the Lord, not for the maidens.

David offered burnt and peace offerings to the Lord. Then David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies. Also, he gave every man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins.

Michal may have still been bitter for David taking her away from Phaltiel and bringing her to him (3:16). She found something to criticize because of her motivation resentment. (Falwell)

King James Version says, she despised him in her heart.
Despised, in Hebrew (baza), means to disesteem, despise, contemn, to think to scorn, vile person.

In my words, the woman through water on a king fired up for the Lord.  She didn't have the same love for the Lord as her brother Jonathan had had. She didn't share David's joyful attitude in worship. Maybe she thought his actions and appearance was undignified for a king in public and public worship or showing emotions in others.

How do we respond to our circumstances of life? Do we show faith and joy in the Lord, or despise His workings?  Do we allow others to influence our actions of excitement in public worship?


LET IT GO

Sing to the Lord songs of praise in public worship, not being influenced by others around me.

Praise the Lord! Thank You Lord for all Your provisions! Glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Help me to honor You wherever I am.

The joy of the Lord is my strength!