King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 6:16 Mean?

2 Samuel 6:16 in the King James Version says “And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king Dav...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Samuel 6:16 · KJV

Context

14

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

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.

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.

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. pitched: Heb. stretched

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.

Read 2 Samuel 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Ark Brought to Jerusalem, emphasizing reverence in worship, God's holiness. The ark's journey to Jerusalem emphasizes God's transcendent holiness and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms. Uzzah's death for touching the ark (though apparently well-intentioned) teaches that sincerity doesn't override obedience. David's dancing demonstrates appropriate joy in worship. Michal's contempt reveals heart attitudes toward genuine worship. The Hebrew qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ, 'holiness') dominates this chapter.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 6 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding reverence in worship, God's holiness provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of reverence in worship, God's holiness?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהָיָה֙1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֲר֣וֹן2 of 23

“And as the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּ֖א4 of 23

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עִ֣יר5 of 23

“into the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּוִד֙6 of 23

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וּמִיכַ֨ל7 of 23

“Michal”

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

בַּת8 of 23

“daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

שָׁא֜וּל9 of 23

“Saul's”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

נִשְׁקְפָ֣ה׀10 of 23

“looked”

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

בְּעַ֣ד11 of 23
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הַֽחַלּ֗וֹן12 of 23

“through a window”

H2474

a window (as perforated)

וַתֵּ֨רֶא13 of 23

“and saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת14 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ15 of 23

“king”

H4428

a king

דָּוִד֙16 of 23

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מְפַזֵּ֤ז17 of 23

“leaping”

H6339

to solidify (as if by refining); also to spring (as if separating the limbs)

וּמְכַרְכֵּר֙18 of 23

“and dancing”

H3769

to dance (i.e., whirl)

לִפְנֵ֣י19 of 23

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה20 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַתִּ֥בֶז21 of 23

“and she despised”

H959

to disesteem

ל֖וֹ22 of 23
H0
בְּלִבָּֽהּ׃23 of 23

“him in her heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 6:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 6:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 2:141 Chronicles 15:29Psalms 69:7Acts 2:132 Samuel 3:14Isaiah 53:3

Places in This Verse

City of DavidSettlement · Modern: City of David · 31.77°N, 35.24°E46 verses across 7 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 6 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Samuel 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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