2 Samuel 6:16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

◄ 2 Samuel 6:16 ►

New International Version
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

New Living Translation
But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him.

English Standard Version
As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

Berean Standard Bible
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

King James Bible
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

New King James Version
Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

New American Standard Bible
Then it happened, as the ark of the LORD was coming into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked down through the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she was contemptuous of him in her heart.

NASB 1995
Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

NASB 1977
Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then it happened as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.

Amplified Bible
Then, as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter [David’s wife], looked down from the window above and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she felt contempt for him in her heart [because she thought him undignified].

Christian Standard Bible
As the ark of the LORD was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As the ark of the LORD was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

American Standard Version
And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.

Contemporary English Version
Saul's daughter Michal looked out her window and watched the chest being brought into David's City. But when she saw David jumping and dancing for the LORD, she was disgusted.

English Revised Version
And it was so, as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the ark of the LORD came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing in the LORD's presence, so she despised him.

Good News Translation
As the Box was being brought into the city, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and jumping around in the sacred dance, and she was disgusted with him.

International Standard Version
As the ark of the LORD was coming into the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal was peering out a window, watching King David jumping and dancing in the LORD's presence, and she despised him in her heart.

Majority Standard Bible
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

NET Bible
As the ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him.

New Heart English Bible
Now, as the ark entered the City of David, Mikal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

World English Bible
As Yahweh’s ark came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out through the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and it has come to pass, the Ark of YHWH has come into the City of David, and Michal daughter of Saul has looked through the window and sees King David moving and dancing before YHWH, and she despises him in her heart.

Young's Literal Translation
and it hath come to pass, the ark of Jehovah hath come in to the city of David, and Michal daughter of Saul, hath looked through the window, and seeth king David moving and dancing before Jehovah, and despiseth him in her heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the ark of Jehovah was coming to the city of David, and Michal, Saul's daughter, looked forth without the window, and she will see king David being strengthened and leaping before Jehovah, and she will despise him in her heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the ark of the Lord was come into the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord: and she despised him in her heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the ark of the Lord had entered into the city of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord. And she despised him in her heart.

New American Bible
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal, daughter of Saul, looked down from her window, and when she saw King David jumping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.

New Revised Standard Version
As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And as the ark of the LORD came past the house of David, Malchel Saul's daughter looked through a window and saw King David rejoicing and dancing before the ark of the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the ark of LORD JEHOVAH was at the house of David. Malkel, daughter of Shaul, looked out from a window, and she saw King David rejoicing and he played before LORD JEHOVAH and she held contempt for him in her heart

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so, as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass as the ark arrived at the city of David, that Melchol the daughter of Saul looked through the window, and saw king David dancing and playing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Michal's Contempt for David
16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart. 17So they brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Chronicles 15:29
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

1 Samuel 18:6-7
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 19:24
Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel. And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

1 Samuel 21:11
But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

1 Samuel 25:44
But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

1 Kings 8:1-11
At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, ...

1 Chronicles 13:8
David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

1 Chronicles 16:1-3
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. / When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. / Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

Psalm 30:11
You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Psalm 149:3
Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Luke 1:41-44
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. / In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! / And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ...

Luke 15:25-32
Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. / So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. / ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’ ...

Matthew 21:15-16
But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” / “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

Mark 11:9-10
The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Treasury of Scripture

And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

And as

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.

Michal

2 Samuel 3:14
And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

despised

Psalm 69:7
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

Isaiah 53:3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

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2 Samuel 6

1. David fetches the ark from Kirjath Jearim on a new cart,
6. Uzzah is smitten at Perez Uzzah
9. God blesses Obed-Edom for the ark
12. David brings the ark into Zion with sacrifices, and dances before it;
16. for which Michal despises him
17. He places it in a tabernacle with great joy and feasting
20. Michal, reproving David for his joy, is childless to her death

Berean Study Bible

As the ark of the LORD
The "ark of the LORD" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. In Hebrew, the word for "ark" is "aron," which signifies a chest or box. The Ark symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its return to the City of David marked a significant spiritual and national event, emphasizing the centrality of God's presence in the life of Israel.

was entering the City of David
The "City of David" is another name for Jerusalem, specifically the ancient stronghold captured by David from the Jebusites. This phrase highlights the political and spiritual significance of Jerusalem as the center of Israelite worship and governance. David's bringing the Ark to Jerusalem signifies the unification of religious and political power under God's guidance.

Michal daughter of Saul
Michal, the daughter of King Saul and wife of David, represents a complex relationship between the old and new dynasties. Her identity as "daughter of Saul" underscores the tension between Saul's fallen house and David's rising kingship. Michal's perspective is shaped by her lineage and personal history, which influences her reaction to David's actions.

watched from a window
The act of watching "from a window" suggests a position of detachment and observation rather than participation. In biblical narratives, windows often symbolize a barrier between the observer and the event, indicating Michal's physical and emotional distance from the celebration. This separation foreshadows her critical response to David's worship.

And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD
David's "leaping and dancing" is an expression of exuberant worship and joy. The Hebrew words used here, "pazaz" (leaping) and "karar" (dancing), convey a sense of vigorous, uninhibited celebration. David's actions demonstrate his wholehearted devotion and humility before God, prioritizing worship over royal dignity.

she despised him in her heart
The phrase "despised him in her heart" reveals Michal's internal contempt and judgment. The Hebrew word "bazah" (despised) indicates a deep disdain and lack of respect. This reaction contrasts sharply with David's joyful worship, highlighting a spiritual disconnect. Michal's disdain may stem from pride, misunderstanding of true worship, or lingering loyalty to her father's legacy.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) She despised him.--The contrast is here strongly brought out between the spirit of Saul's house in which Michal had been brought up, and that of David. In Saul's time the ark had been neglected, and true religion was uncared for. Michal, therefore, who had fallen in love with David as a brave hero, could not understand the religious enthusiasm which led him to rank himself among the common people before the Lord.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - Michal Saul's daughter. Possibly these words are merely to identify Michal, but they suggest the thought that, as a king's daughter, she valued her royal dignity. The procession evidently passed near David's palace, and his wives and children would be eager spectators.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

As the ark
אֲר֣וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was entering
בָּ֖א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the City
עִ֣יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of David,
דָּוִ֑ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Saul’s
שָׁא֜וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

Michal
וּמִיכַ֨ל (ū·mî·ḵal)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4324: Michal -- wife of David

looked down
נִשְׁקְפָ֣ה ׀ (niš·qə·p̄āh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8259: To overhang, look out or down

from
בְּעַ֣ד (bə·‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

a window
הַחַלּ֗וֹן (ha·ḥal·lō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2474: A window

and saw
וַתֵּ֨רֶא (wat·tê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

King
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

David
דָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

leaping
מְפַזֵּ֤ז (mə·p̄az·zêz)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6339: To solidify, to spring

and dancing
וּמְכַרְכֵּר֙ (ū·mə·ḵar·kêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3769: To dance

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and she despised him
וַתִּ֥בֶז (wat·ti·ḇez)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

in her heart.
בְּלִבָּֽהּ׃ (bə·lib·bāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

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OT History: 2 Samuel 6:16 It was so as the ark (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)