Dancing King David at Ark of Covenant

Dancing King David

Celebrating the arrival of Ten Commandments

King David danced in the streets as priests carried into Jerusalem the Ark of the Covenant, Israel's most sacred relica—a chest that held the stone tablets etched with the Ten Commandments. The Bible books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles both agree.

David married then not married

The wife was Michal, King Saul's daughter. She had married him when he was a popular Israelite hero, slayer of Philistine champion warrior, Goliath. But when King Saul grew jealous of David's popularity, Saul annulled his daughter's marriage, forced David into the life of a hunted fugitive, and gave Michal to another man. She learned to love that man. But when Saul died in battle and David became king, he forced Michal to leave her husband and return as his wife. Reading between the lines, it seems she became bitter and never forgave David. There's no report of her ever having children.

David dances in his underwear

"David...brought the Box from Obed-edom’s house to the City of David. It was a happy parade. But it was slow. After every six steps the people took as they carried the Box, David made them stop so he could sacrifice an ox or a calf. During the walk, David danced with all his enthusiasm, wearing only a linen loincloth. David and the others joyfully accompanied the Box of God, cheering and blowing ram’s horns to celebrate.

Michal disgusted with David

When the Box of God reached the city, Saul’s daughter Michal looked out the palace window and saw David. He was jumping and dancing and whirling as he celebrated what the LORD was doing. But she despised David. David put the Box in a tent he set up as a place of worship. Then he offered sacrifices: burnt offerings and peace offerings" (2 Samuel 6:12-17, Casual English Bible).

Where to find Bible maps

The Casual English Bible® has more than 900 Bible maps, many in 3D style. You can search for maps by place name, such as "Sea of Galilee."

Dedicated Bible map search engine

But you can also search for maps by Bible book, such as searching for all the maps in the book of Joshua. In addition, you can search by country, region, or era on a timeline, such as when Israel had kings or when Jesus was on earth. Here's a link to the dedicated Map Search Engine.  

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For more Bible features

• Stephen M. Miller's website and blog
• The Casual English Bible
• Bible YouTube channel
• And check out the song "I Will Thank God, He's My Savior," inspired by the prophet Habakkuk's final prayer, in Habakkuk 3.