It was a party like no other. All Israel flooded the streets to welcome the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant. They sang. They sacrificed. They worshipped. And you know they ate. King David ordered 30,000 of Israel’s finest to accompany the ark into Jerusalem. Finally after so much wandering, the ark of the covenant was “set in its place” in the city on a hill. The presence of Yahweh would be anchored among them.
The music was loud, the dancing was undignified, and the joy was palpable. Everyone celebrated in unity, everyone except one woman. Her name was Michal and she happened to be King David’s wife.
2 Samuel 6:16 says, “As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.”
Before we window-shame the angry queen, let’s take a look at her story.
- She was used by her paranoid father, King Saul (1 Sam 18:20).
- Her father and her brother, Jonathan (David’s BFF), died the same day in battle (1 Sam 31).
- She was David’s first wife, and she loved him long before she despised him (1 Sam 18: 28). Now she was one of many wives.
- When Saul exiled David, she was given in marriage to another man, and he wept bitterly over giving her back to David (2 Sam 3:13-16).
If anyone had the right to stare daggers at other people’s happiness, it was Michal. She was caught between two worlds, the Old Kingdom of her father and the New Kingdom of her husband, unsure of who she was or where she belonged.
Here are five lessons from Michal’s bitterness.
- Her bitterness was understandable: Although she had every reason to sit at that window, the presence of God would have lifted Michal’s heart. He alone is able to bring joy from suffering, hope from affliction, and life from death. It’s what he does. Entrust your hurting heart to Christ alone.
. - Her bitterness kept her separate: If Christ promises us all suffering in this world, then your pain makes you more like the people of God, not strange to them. Come near to them. Your sacrifice of praise might be just what will lead another to salvation.
. - Her bitterness despised another’s overflowing joy: How she loathed her husband’s dancing. Joy dispels bitter people. King David genuinely worshipped God with “all his might” on that joyful day, and she despised him for it. Bitterness corrupts how you see others.
. - Her bitterness blocked her blessing: 2 Sam 6:20 says, “And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David.” Before he could get the blessing out, she vehemently scolded him. Michal’s bitterness robbed her family of a blessing.
. - Her bitterness became her barrenness: 2 Samuel 6:23 says, “And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.” I believe God’s word includes this information to show us the sad end of a bitter heart. Hiding from the presence of God, her life produced no fruit. In contrast, because of Christ we remain fruit-bearing women to his glory, even in desert times. [Hear me— your struggle with infertility does NOT mean you’re a bitter woman! Here is where we have to be careful to know scripture in context and as a whole -Old and New Testaments.]
As Israel celebrated all they’d gained, I wonder if Michal could only think about what she’d lost. Maybe you’ve lost something or someone this season. Maybe you have a hundred reasons to be bitter too. Make no mistake, the enemy wants you glued to the window, not worshipping in the street. He wants you separate from the presence of God. Do not take the bait. Leave the window and seek the Lord. He is the great comforter, and the one who brings joy from mourning. Beauty from ashes. Life from death. Let him bring it to you.