Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Samuel 6:14 (New Living Translation)

And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.

David danced before the LORD. What joy. We should all dance all the time for the LORD. Right? But dancing is…well just watch a little TV and you’re likely to see some not-so-praise-the-LORD dancing.

See this verse:

1 Chronicles 15:29 (New Living Translation)

But as the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him.

This verse describes David as “skipping and laughing with joy.” Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like not-so-praise-the-LORD dancing. That sounds like someone who is so overjoyed with the blessings of the LORD hopping happily while walking.

What happened?

Somewhere along the line dancing went from joy to sex. Perhaps the English translations of the Bible added to this mess. I don’t know, but take great care when reading the word “dance” in the Bible.