2 Samuel 6:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20-23

David, having dismissed the congregation with a blessing, returned to bless his household (2 Sam. 6:20), that is, to pray with them and for them, and to offer up his family thanksgiving for this national mercy. Ministers must not think that their public performances will excuse them from their family-worship; but when they have, with their instructions and prayers, blessed the solemn assemblies, they must return in the same manner to bless their households, for with them they are in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20

Then David returned to bless his household ,.... His wife, children, and servants, to wish all happiness to them on this occasion, and pray to God for blessings on them temporal and spiritual. This was done when he came from the place where the ark was set, and was come to his own palace: and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David ; before he had gotten quite to his own house: and said, how glorious was the king of Israel today ; which she spoke in an ironical jeering... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 6:20

To bless his household - This was according to the custom of the patriarchs, who were priests in their own families. It is worthy of remark, that David is called patriarch by Stephen, Acts 2:29 , though living upwards of four hundred years after the termination of the patriarchal age. How glorious was the king of Israel - This is a strong irony. From what Michal says, it is probable that David used some violent gesticulations, by means of which some parts of his body... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:12-23

The facts are: 1 . David, learning the blessing that had come upon the house of Obed-Edom, resolves to bring up the ark to Jerusalem. 2 . Having made arrangements in accordance with the Law for the proper bearing of the ark, he inaugurates the procession by a sacrifice. 3 . Girded with a linen ephod, he dances before the ark, and with music and shouting it enters Jerusalem. 4 . Placing the ark in the tabernacle he had provided for it, he offers burnt offerings and peace... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20

To bless his household. David, in the midst of his public duties, was not forgetful of the nearer claims of his own family. Doubtless there also a joyful feast would be prepared, and all be gathered together to praise God and rejoice with one con sent. Who uncovered himself … as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! David's offence in the eyes of Michal was, not his dancing, but his divesting himself of his royal robes, and appearing before his subjects clad in the dress... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20

( 1 Chronicles 16:43 ). ( ZION .) Family worship. "And David returned to bless his household." A benediction or blessing is essentially a prayer to God that his blessing may be bestowed upon others; and, being uttered in their presence by one who (like the head of a household) holds a position of authority in relation to them, it is also, to some extent, an assurance of the blessing. Of family worship notice— I. ITS OBLIGATION ; which (although it is not expressly enjoined)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20

Domestic religion. "Then David returned to bless his household." An interesting contrast with what precedes. Would have been a pleasing close of the narrative but for what follows. Presents David in an attractive light. His piety did not shine merely in public before a crowd; it illuminated and blessed his home. He did not regard his high station and the weight of the cares of state as raising him above, or releasing him from, his duties as head of a household. Nor did he, after that busy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20-22

A despiser rebuked. The history of Michal is rather an unhappy one. In early life she became enamoured of David, to whom she was reluctantly given by her father. Afterwards, when Saul became the enemy of David, she was given to another, from whom, after many years, she was torn by her first husband, more, probably, from policy than affection. It is likely she had no warm affection for him now. She may have resented his succeeding to her father's throne. She had no sympathy with his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 6:20-23

( ZION ) Unholy scorn. The greatest day of David's life did not end without a cloud. His wife Michal, "Saul's daughter" ( 2 Samuel 6:16 ; 2 Samuel 3:13 ; 1 Samuel 19:11-17 ), had not, from whatever cause, gone forth to meet him with the other women ( 2 Samuel 6:19 )on his return to Jerusalem with the sacred ark; on beholding from a window of the palace, as the procession swept past, the enthusiasm which he displayed, "she despised him in her heart;" and when, after he had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 6:20

Then David returned ... - He had passed his house to accompany the ark to the tabernacle he had pitched for it, when Michal saw him dancing. He now returns to bless his household. He had blessed the people 2 Samuel 6:18, but there were the inmates of his own house whom the customs of the age did not allow to be present, and so, with his usual considerate kindness and affection, David came to bless them also on this solemn occasion. read more

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