2 Samuel 6:22 – “I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, David is responding to his wife Michal’s harsh criticism of his exuberant, unrestrained dancing before the Lord as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. Michal, the daughter of Saul, found David’s behavior undignified and inappropriate for a king. David, however, declares that his worship of God is not about maintaining his royal image or impressing people. In fact, he expresses his willingness to go even further in his humility if it means honoring God. David is making it clear that he values God’s approval far above human opinions, even if that means being humiliated in the eyes of others. At the same time, he points out that the very people Michal thinks would look down on him—the servant girls—will actually respect and honor him for his devotion to God.
Historical Context
This verse comes at a high point in David’s reign, when he is bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, solidifying the city as both the political and spiritual center of Israel. The Ark represented God’s presence and blessing, and its return to Jerusalem was cause for great celebration. David, filled with joy, danced before the Lord in an unrestrained manner, showing his complete devotion to God. However, Michal, having grown up in Saul’s royal household, likely had a very different view of how a king should behave—dignified, formal, and always aware of how he is perceived by others. David, by contrast, was more concerned with honoring God than with maintaining appearances.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the concept of humility in worship. David’s willingness to become “even more undignified” shows that true worship is about surrendering one’s pride and status before God. Theologically, this verse teaches that God values the heart over appearances, and that genuine worship may sometimes look foolish or undignified in the eyes of the world. David’s attitude reflects a profound truth: worship is about pleasing God, not people. This verse calls believers to examine their own hearts in worship—are we more concerned with how others perceive us, or are we focused on honoring God with all our being?
Literary Analysis
The verse is structured as a bold declaration from David, emphasizing his devotion to God above all else. The phrase “even more undignified” conveys a sense of total abandon in worship, as David is willing to sacrifice his pride for the sake of honoring God. The contrast between “humiliated in my own eyes” and “held in honor” highlights a key theme in the Bible: those who humble themselves before God will be lifted up. Michal’s criticism contrasts with David’s determination to honor God regardless of social expectations or personal humiliation.
Biblical Cross-References
- Luke 14:11: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” This echoes David’s willingness to be humbled before God and yet be honored for it.
- James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” David’s humility before God reflects this biblical principle.
- Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” David’s humility before God places him in a position to receive God’s blessing and favor.
Meaning for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that worship is about humility and total devotion to God. Like David, we are called to put aside concerns about how others might perceive us and focus solely on honoring God with our whole heart. This might mean stepping outside our comfort zones or being willing to look “undignified” in the eyes of others. Worship is not about keeping up appearances or maintaining social status—it’s about surrendering our pride and giving God the glory He deserves. This verse challenges believers to examine whether they are more concerned with pleasing people or pleasing God in their worship and in their daily lives.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His desire for authentic, humble worship from His people. David’s willingness to be “undignified” before the Lord reflects his deep understanding of God’s love—David knows that God loves him not because of his status as king, but because of his heart of devotion. This verse reveals that God delights in sincere worship, where the focus is on Him alone, not on outward appearances or human approval. God’s love calls us to come before Him as we are, without pretense, and to worship Him with all that we are, knowing that He values our hearts more than our status.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
David’s willingness to humble himself before the Lord foreshadows the humility of Jesus Christ, who, though He was God, took on human form and “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus’ life and sacrifice are the ultimate example of humility and devotion to God. Just as David was willing to become undignified in the eyes of others for the sake of worshiping God, Jesus was willing to endure the humiliation of the cross for the sake of fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. Through Jesus, we learn that true greatness comes through humility and that God’s honor is worth far more than human approval.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there areas in your life where you feel hesitant to worship or serve God fully because you’re concerned about how others might perceive you?
- How does David’s example challenge you to rethink your approach to worship and humility before God?
- In what ways can Jesus’ example of humility on the cross inspire you to let go of pride and live a life of devotion to God, even if it means being misunderstood or criticized by others?