NAKED OR HALF-NAKED: HOW DID DAVID DANCE?

2 Samuel 6:20(NKJV)

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 today, UNCOVERING HIMSELF today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly UNCOVERS himself!”

His wife, Michal seems to be accusing him of being naked. But is this true?

2 Samuel 6:12-14(NKJV)

12. Now it was told King David, saying, "The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. 

13. And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. 

14. Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and DAVID WAS WEARING A LINEN EPHOD.

David danced vigorously but he was not naked at all; he was wearing an ephod. Among the Jews, an ephod is an apron-like garment for the priests (Exodus 28:1-14) traditionally worn on a robe (a long loose garment).

1 Chronicles 15:25-27(NKJV)

25. So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 

26. And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams. 

27. DAVID WAS CLOTHED WITH A ROBE OF FINE LINEN, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. DAVID ALSO WORE A LINEN EPHOD. 

He was dressed just like every other Levite (in a linen robe). Additionally, he put on a linen ephod (priestly apron) as he joined/led the priests in offering sacrifices of oxen and sheep (verse 26 above; 2 Samuel 6:13). So, he wasn't even half-naked either.

So, what did Michal imply by saying he was uncovered?

She was apparently born into royalty, unlike David; she had lived in royalty all her life. It was weird seeing a "whole king" relating so freely and openly with his people, dancing and singing with them, instead of being escorted everywhere by troops of soldiers unlike her father, Saul. So, she implied DESCENDING FROM A KINGLY AND ROYAL ATTIRE to a "mere" priestly garment and looking like a common man, not even covertly but openly. She felt embarrassed and hence, her use of such hyperbolic expression.

So, it was not a strippers' party. 😁

Blessings.

Victor Ibosiola © 2021

An excerpt from THEODICY: Investigating God's Character (A 12-Hour Defence of God's Nature in the Midst of Evil)

BELIEVERS' BIBLE CONFERENCE 2018

Outline: David and Michal's Barrenness (Cracking the Enigma)