Bible Strands
2 Samuel 6:21
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David speaks to his wife Michal immediately after returning home to bless his household following the ark's arrival. He responds to her public mockery of his worship by explaining his actions in the sight of the people.
The words — The Hebrew verb בָּֽחַר (ba.char) translates literally as "he chose," appearing in David’s declaration that Yahweh selected him. This term anchors the clause where David contrasts his divine appointment with Saul’s rejected household.
The thread — The text explicitly links to 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22, which record God’s rejection of Saul and confirmation of David’s kingship. These references trace a consistent narrative line where political authority derives from divine selection rather than human lineage.
Why it lands — The verse first states that David’s worship occurred before Yahweh, who appointed him over Israel regardless of public opinion. It requires the reader to align personal conduct with divine appointment rather than human standards of dignity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’
- 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.”
- 2 Samuel 6:16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
- Psalms 89:19 You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
- 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.
- Psalms 78:70 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
- 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.”
- 2 Samuel 6:5 David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.
- 2 Samuel 6:14 And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.