Sunday School

THE LESSON BACKGROUND. The beginning of David’s reign was filled with wars against Israel’s most immediate threats. The stronghold of Jerusalem was taken from the Jebusites, and David made it his capital (see II Samuel 5:6-9). He also twice defeated the Philistines (see II Samuel 5:17-25). Another endeavor of David was to return the Ark of the Covenant to the heart of the kingdom. After one attempt that resulted in the death of Uzzah (see II Samuel 6:1-8), David finally succeeded in bringing the ark into Jerusalem. There, amid great joy, he established a permanent place for it (see II Samuel 6:12-19). Israel now had a central sanctuary. But as the procession came into the city, Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, watched from a window and saw him leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she was filled with contempt for him (see II Samuel 6:16). After David placed the ark inside the tent that he had prepared for it, he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. Then he blessed the people in the name of the LORD and gave a present to everyone both men and women, consisting of a loaf of bread, some wine, and a cake of raisins. When it was all over, and everyone had gone home, David returned to bless his family (see II Samuel 6:17-20). Then Michal, David’s wife came out to meet him and shouted in disgust, “How glorious the king of Israel looked today! He exposed himself to the girls along the street like a common pervert!” David replied saying, “I was dancing before the LORD who chose me above your father and his family and who appointed me as leader of Israel, the people of the LORD! So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, but I will be respected by the girls of whom you spoke” (see II Samuel 6:21-22). Chapter 6 then ends with the statement that Michal was childless throughout her life. Our lesson begins with chapter 7.