2 Samuel 6 14

2 Samuel 6:14 kjv

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

2 Samuel 6:14 nkjv

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

2 Samuel 6:14 niv

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might,

2 Samuel 6:14 esv

And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.

2 Samuel 6:14 nlt

And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.

2 Samuel 6 verses

2 Samuel 6 14 Meaning

David's exuberant and unreserved worship before the LORD is vividly captured as he joyfully danced with all his strength while wearing a humble linen ephod during the procession of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This act symbolized his intense devotion, spiritual humility, and his prioritizing of God's presence above his kingly dignity.

2 Samuel 6 14 Context

2 Samuel chapter 6 details King David's pivotal efforts to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem, establishing the city as both the political and spiritual capital of Israel. This endeavor followed an earlier failed attempt (2 Sam 6:6-8) where Uzzah died for improperly touching the Ark, highlighting the seriousness of handling sacred things and the need for reverence. In light of this, David's subsequent actions were carefully carried out. Verse 14 occurs during the joyful and grand procession. It is situated within a narrative demonstrating David's passion for God's presence to be at the heart of the nation. It immediately precedes Michal's disapproval of David's conduct (2 Sam 6:16) and David's defense of his worship before the LORD (2 Sam 6:20-23). The cultural context involves public processions for divine artifacts, often involving singing, music, and dance as expressions of communal joy and adoration for a deity. However, David's specific action in shedding royal dignity and intensely participating sets him apart.

2 Samuel 6 14 Word analysis

• And David: Refers to King David, the anointed leader of Israel, a "man after God's own heart" (1 Sam 13:14, Acts 13:22). His identity as king gives his actions significant weight and demonstrates that spiritual zeal can override royal formality.
• was dancing: From the Hebrew root כרכר (mekarker), meaning to "whirl," "leap," or "skip." This suggests a vigorous, uninhibited, and physically expressive form of worship, not a slow or stately movement. It conveys deep internal joy breaking forth in outward expression. It's not described as a pagan fertility dance but an act directed before the LORD.
• before the LORD: Hebrew לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lifnei YHWH). This phrase signifies that David's dance was directed solely toward God. It was an act of worship in God's very presence, not a performance for men or a demonstration of power, but an expression of profound adoration and gratitude towards the divine. This establishes the sacred nature and pure motivation of his action.
• with all his might: Hebrew בְּכָל־עֹז (bekol-ʿoz), meaning "with all his strength," "full force," "uttermost." This intensifies the description of David's dance, indicating total physical and emotional commitment. It aligns with the principle of loving God with all one's being, as commanded in Deut 6:5. There was no holding back, no reservation due to kingly status or pride.
• wearing: Simple past participle indicating he was clad in the specified garment throughout the dance.
• a linen ephod: Hebrew אֵפוֹד בַּד (efod bad). This was a simple, short priestly garment made of plain linen, distinct from the ornate ephod worn by the High Priest (Exod 28:6-14). Its significance here is multi-fold:
  • Humility: David shed his royal robes and insignia, exchanging them for a simpler garment, signaling his humility and willingness to set aside his royal status in worship. He became a humble servant of the LORD.
  • Priesthood/Service: While David was not a Levite, kings often took on a leading role in national worship. Wearing a linen ephod, a garment of priests and servants like Samuel (1 Sam 2:18), suggested David's role as a worshipper-leader, serving God rather than ruling over Him. It identified him with the people, as one serving.
  • Modesty/Decorum (contra Michal): Though Michal later scorned him for exposing himself, the ephod itself was a proper, if simple, garment. It covered him appropriately and indicated his devotion, contrasting any suggestion of indecency. His "uncovering" was metaphorical, of kingly dignity, not physical nakedness.

2 Samuel 6 14 Bonus section

• Contrast with Saul: David's unrestrained worship stands in stark contrast to Saul's rigid and ultimately disobedient approach to sacred duties (1 Sam 13:8-14; 1 Sam 15:1-23). Saul often acted for show or for his own gain, whereas David consistently displayed a heart that sought to please God above all else. This moment contributes to the biblical portrayal of David as the king after God's own heart, deeply invested in cultivating God's presence among his people.
• Impact on Michal: Michal's reaction (2 Sam 6:16, 20-23) serves as a dramatic foil to David's worship. Her disdain highlights the tension between a Spirit-led, passionate faith and a human-centric, formalistic religiosity that prioritizes social standing over genuine devotion. Her barrenness can be seen as a symbolic judgment against her inability to appreciate or partake in David's zealous devotion to the Lord, and her subsequent separation from the spiritual vibrancy that characterized David's house.
• Theological Significance: This passage establishes a paradigm of worship that is vibrant, heartfelt, and humble, irrespective of one's worldly position. It suggests that true devotion may appear undignified or unconventional to those focused on external appearances, yet it is profoundly acceptable and pleasing to God.

2 Samuel 6 14 Commentary

2 Samuel 6:14 provides a powerful portrait of David's heart for God. His dance, performed "with all his might," demonstrates a wholehearted devotion that transcended the normal expectations of royal dignity. He poured his entire being into worship, embodying the command to love God with all one's strength. By shedding his kingly robes and donning a simple linen ephod, David actively embraced humility and identified himself as a servant and worshipper "before the LORD." This act underscored that his true identity and authority stemmed not from his crown, but from his humble submission to God. His passionate, uninhibited display reveals a pure, undiluted joy in the presence of the Ark, which symbolized God's presence. This moment encapsulates a fundamental truth about worship: it is a total, often physical, pouring out of oneself in humility and adoration, where status and human convention are secondary to genuine zeal for the divine. It ultimately highlights David as a model of earnest, joyful, and humble worship, despite facing ridicule for it.