Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 15:29
And it came to pass, [as] the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
29. looking out at a window saw ] R.V. looked out at the window and saw.
playing ] a synonym of dancing, obsolete in modern English. The closest rendering is perhaps, leaping as in sport. The unrestrained joyousness of this action might easily degenerate (as in idolatrous worship) into licence. The Chronicler omits to say that the dancing was “before the Lord” (2Sa 6:16). David’s subsequent interview with Michal ( ib. 2Sa 6:20-23) is also passed over in Chron.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 29. Michal – saw – David dancing – and she despised him] See this whole business explained 2Sa 6:20, &c., where David’s conduct is vindicated, and the nature of Michal’s disgrace and punishment hinted at, but all left to the reader’s determination.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
29. Michal . . . saw . . . Daviddancing and playingHis movements would be slow and solemn,suitable to the grave and solemn character of the music. Though hisroyal robes were laid aside, he was attired like the other officials,showing a becoming humility in the immediate presence of God. Thefeelings manifested by Michal were only an ebullition of spleen froma proud and passionate woman.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul, looking out at a window,…. Of the palace, to see the procession, see 2Sa 6:16 where not only this circumstance is related, and the inward contempt she had David in, because of his behaviour, but also what she said, and what David returned in answer to it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1Ch 16:29 and 1Ch 16:1-3 agree in substance with 2Sa 6:15-19, only some few words being explained: e.g., , 1Ch 15:29, instead of (Sam.), and instead of (Sam.); see the commentary on 2 Sam. l.c.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
see note on: 2Sa 6:12
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(29) And it came to pass.The verse reads in the Hebrew like a modernised form of 2Sa. 6:16.
As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came.Rather, The ark had come so far as to the city, and Michal had looked forth by the lattice, and she saw . . .
Dancing and playing.In the Hebrew two common words have been substituted for the two obsolete ones occurring in Samuel.
Playing.The Hebrew word denotes dancing combined with singing and playing (Jer. 30:19; 1Sa. 18:6-7).
She despised him.Because he seemed forgetful of his royal and manly honour, in dancing like a woman.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Michal’s conduct, in despising David for the part he took in this work, is more fully noticed in the account given in the book of Samuel, than it is here in the Chronicles. So that, I again request the Reader that he will peruse both narratives together. No doubt the Holy Ghost intended they should be thus regarded. It is his gracious mercy which hath furnished the church with so rich and full a volume as the Bible contains. And not a jot or tittle of it can be uninteresting, or will be found unimportant, to those that read it under his divine teaching. Joh 16:13 ; 2Ti 3:16-17 .
REFLECTIONS
OBSERVE, Reader, how grace had wrought upon the mind of David since the breach of Uzzah. He no longer feels displeasure at God. His displeasure is at himself. He confesses our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after due order. He now sets himself to prepare a place for the ark of God, before he presumes to bring it home. My Brother! depend upon it grace will always induce such effects. To justify the Lord in all the Lord’s appointments: Thou hast done right; and we have done foolishly. And not only to justify but to approve: It may be painful, it may be galling to flesh and blood: but it is the Lord that appoints, and therefore it must be right. And still more to cleave to God as a friend, though his frowns seem to look like an enemy: to kiss the hand that smites, and to believe and be perfectly satisfied, that while the Lord exercises the authority of a sovereign, he never loses sight of the Father and the friend: Jesus, the Son of his love, still lives, and his covenant righteousness still pleads. Jesus is, and will be, still Jesus; this is faith, for this gives glory to his holy name. And it was thus David prepared for the reception of the ark, and thus in faith and holy joy he brought it home, and the Lord blessed him and Israel in the service.
Reader! let us learn from hence the many sweet things it contains. Oh, Jesus! give us grace to prepare a place for thee, even the best place in our affections, the chief and whole room in our heart. Lord Jesus, do thou occupy and fill all! Then under the influence of thy sweet Spirit, we shall go forth to meet thee, to receive thee, to embrace thee, and to bring thee home with holy transports of joy, though all the Michal’s of the present hour despise: let them despise, so thou smile. Like the church, when I have once found him whom my soul loveth, I will hold thee and not let thee go, until that I have brought thee into my father’s house and into the chamber of her that conceived me; for there wilt thou show me thy loves.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
despised him. Implying treatment with contempt.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ch 15:29
1Ch 15:29
MICHAL; SAUL’S DAUGHTER; DESPISES DAVID
“And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.”
See our commentary on 2Samuel for more info regarding this sad episode in the life of David. Some may be surprised that we find many reasons to sympathize with the lonely, mistreated daughter of Saul. Also, this writer seriously questions the propriety of David’s actions in dancing before the ark without his breeches.
We have continued to limit our comments on much of the material in Chronicles; because, important as it was to the participants, the ultimate significance of the detailed names and ceremonies outlined here is limited indeed.
E.M. Zerr:
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
as the ark: 1Ch 17:1, Num 10:33, Deu 31:26, Jos 4:7, Jdg 20:27, 1Sa 4:3, Jer 3:16, Heb 9:4
Lord: 2Sa 6:16
Michal: 1Sa 18:27, 1Sa 18:28, 1Sa 19:11-17, 1Sa 25:44, 2Sa 3:13, 2Sa 3:14
dancing: Exo 15:20, Psa 30:11, Psa 149:3, Psa 150:4, Ecc 3:4, Jer 30:19, Jer 33:11
she despised: 2Sa 6:20-23, Psa 69:7-9, Act 2:13, 1Co 2:14, 2Co 5:13
Reciprocal: Num 6:14 – one he 2Sa 6:21 – play 1Ki 8:1 – out of the city Psa 65:1 – in Sion
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
15:29 And it came to pass, [as] the ark of the {q} covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
(q) It was so called because it reminded the Israelites of the Lord’s covenant made with them.