King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 6:20 Mean?

2 Samuel 6:20 in the King James Version says “Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorio... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! shamelessly: or, openly

2 Samuel 6:20 · KJV


Context

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.

19

And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20

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 to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! shamelessly: or, openly

21

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.

22

And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. of the: or, of the handmaids of my servants


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

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 · 27 words
וַיָּ֥שָׁב1 of 27

returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

דָּוִ֔ד2 of 27

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְבָרֵ֣ךְ3 of 27

to bless

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת4 of 27
H853

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

בֵּית֑וֹ5 of 27

his household

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַתֵּצֵ֞א6 of 27

came out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִיכַ֤ל7 of 27

And Michal

H4324

mikal, saul's daughter

בַּת8 of 27

the daughter

H1323

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

שָׁאוּל֙9 of 27

of Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לִקְרַ֣את10 of 27

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

דָּוִ֔ד11 of 27

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר12 of 27

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַה13 of 27
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

נִּכְבַּ֨ד14 of 27

How glorious

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

הַיּוֹם֙15 of 27

himself to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מֶ֣לֶךְ16 of 27

was the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל17 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֨ר18 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִגְל֖וֹת19 of 27

shamelessly

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

הַיּוֹם֙20 of 27

himself to day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לְעֵינֵ֨י21 of 27

in the eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אַמְה֣וֹת22 of 27

of the handmaids

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

עֲבָדָ֔יו23 of 27

of his servants

H5650

a servant

נִגְל֖וֹת24 of 27

shamelessly

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

נִגְל֖וֹת25 of 27

shamelessly

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אַחַ֥ד26 of 27

as one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הָרֵקִֽים׃27 of 27

of the vain fellows

H7386

empty; figuratively, worthless


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 6:20 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 6:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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