Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. (2 Samuel 16: 14)
Let me set the scene. The Ark of the Covenant, built as a symbol of God’s presence and glory, had been lost and forgotten for some seventy years. Kept in the house of Abinadab, David sought to restore the Ark to the city of Jerusalem, so that all Israel could worship the Lord in one place.
It was one of his long dreams, one of his passions, to have the Lord’s people have a place to worship Him and remember His covenant with them. It seemed that every obstacle possible was being set in the path of this dream, and for a while he was even worried that he would not be able to bring it to the City of David.
But finally the day had arrived. After the long months and struggles, the Ark had finally arrived in Jerusalem! And David, in great excitement and in thanks and praise for the Lord, leaped and danced. He didn’t care that he could have looked ridiculous, his main concern was show his thanks and worship to Him who had blessed David.
Remember that at this time that David was King of all Israel. Some would even say that this was not behavior suited for a King, that he was ridiculous and undignified. But David did not care. This was worship without limits, something he was offering up to His Lord out of an overflow of love and gratefulness for the goodness of God. Nothing would stop him, not the people who thought he looked silly, or even his self-consciousness.
How amazing it is to worship in this way. Without reservations. Without limits. Without a care in the world except to show the proper worship to the One who deserves everything we have to give.
Have you ever experienced this kind of worship and gratitude? What holds you back from this kind of expression of faith and worship? Can you worship like this in public? Do you worship Him like this in private?
May the Lord bless us all with the faith and heart to be able to dance as David danced!
andrea freeman
Saturday 14th of November 2020
We can't dance wrong when we dance in the spirit, can't conform to worldly dance got to bring them to God. Didn't even thing I would ever stop the worldly dance, but know I dance like David. Praise God
Omariba Francis
Monday 18th of November 2019
I think we should then dance in the right Manner, some Christians have copied the worldly dance which Is evil. I don't lie dancing, instead singing with emotion and sign lifting the Lord's name and glory higher.
Gleanice Cooper
Wednesday 17th of June 2020
The bible says with everything you do, do it to the glory of God. So whatever dance you are doing it should be to the glory of God. Dancing isn't a worldly thing because there is dancing in heaven. Dancing is just moving your body to a rhythm. It's an expression of emotion. If you are happy you will do a happy dance, if you are angry you would do a angry dance. So if you are glorifying God you will do a dance of Glory. Psalms 149:3 says "Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!" God wants us to praise him with everything in us. Also when David was dancing he didn't pay attention to anyone or what they had to say about his dancing he even danced with no clothes and he was a on all for the glory of God. And he was a king at that that wasn't manner of a king. So dance without caring what anyone else has to say and don't judge people for dancing to the glory of God no matter how crazy you may feel their dancing is cause at the end of the day it is all for the glory of God. If they are dancing with evil in there heart the lord will deal with them accordingly.
Phebby
Sunday 10th of March 2019
Praise be to GOD, lam one person who loves praise and worship, l come from a culture were people love to sing and dance. Before I came to know the Lord l and my husband used to go and dance out for the devil, but not anymore.I dance for the Lord, l don't care where and what, as long as am worshipping and praising the Almighty GOD, Thank you for your comments and for highlighting this scripture that David danced before the Lord.
Ruthie
Tuesday 28th of January 2020
Oh my God I suffer with anxiety but I had knee replacement sometime ago .now today I had anxiety attack I faster for 21days i love worshipping an praying an praise in the lord .a voice spoke to me an in my ear an dance like David dance. It so clear I know It was the lord. But help.me understand
Tonya Taylor
Saturday 22nd of December 2018
Amen Michael Bradley!!! How beautiful and what a privilege to be able to Worship the Lord without reservation from our hearts to his presence!!! To be in a country---& time where we can express our gratitude to the Lord however we wish without persecution as Christians faced back in those days!!! He is so wonderful!!! Thanks for the article!!! God bless you!!!
Jamiyla Meade
Monday 3rd of December 2018
I pray that you receive this in love. The scripture reference at the top of the page is incorrect. It should be 2 Samuel 6:4; It looks like it was clearly just a typo. I'm not trying to be picky but we must be clear when sharing the word of the lord as to not deter or confuse new & old believer and also not to leave a foot hole for the devil to come in and reek havoc. Great Commentary though! I've been a praise dancer for 8 years and I still get nervous and have to come back to this scripture for encouragement.
Lauren Carr
Thursday 20th of August 2020
Please excuse this super late reply posting lol but, 2nd Samuel 6:13-16 is about David wearing a linen ephod and praising the Lord. 2nd Samuel 6:4 is talking about them bringing the ark of God out of the house of Abinadab and Uzzah and Ahio the songs of Abinadab driving the cart with the ark of God and Ahio goes before it. I know this was two years ago when this was posted, but I know readers, like myself will come across posts like these and can get confused at what the Bible says, but it is definitely important for us to be clear when we are sharing the word of God. Hope you are continuing to stay safe and healthy! :)