Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Samuel 6:12-15 (New International Version 2011)

¹² Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. ¹³ When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. ¹⁴ Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, ¹⁵ while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem for the first time. This is a celebration – a B I G celebration. As we see in verse 14,

David was dancing before the LORD with all his might

What kind of “dancing” was that? The waltz? The tango? Break dancing? Disco? And what does it mean to “dance before the Lord?”

Through the centuries, most forms of public dancing were done to illustrate physical prowess and health to attract a mate for breeding. Basically, “Look at me. I am healthy. I can produce healthy children.” See, as one example, this article on the subject. I don’t think David was doing that kind of dance. However, since I wasn’t there at the time, that is my belief and is not based on fact.

I believe that dancing is one of those things that followers of the Lord did in the Bible in a certain manner so that it was for the Lord and blessed by the Lord. Centuries of malpractice by people changed dance into something completely different. I doubt the Lord would be honored with go-go dancing young women on little platforms. I believe that dancing, like casting lots, has been ruined by people who don’t worship the Lord.

Perhaps somewhere today there are Christians who know how to “dance before the Lord” in a way to honor the Lord. If those people exist, I would like to meet them.