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1 Chronicles 15 · a question people ask

Why did Michal despise David?

In the text

This chapter doesn't say. It tells what she saw and what she did: she "looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart" (15:29), and it ends there. 2 Samuel tells the same moment, "she despised him in her heart" (2 Samuel 6:16), and goes on to her own words when David "returned to bless his household": "How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" (2 Samuel 6:20). David's answer begins, "It was before the LORD" (2 Samuel 6:21). Chronicles has no verses like 2 Samuel 6:20-23; it says only that "David returned to bless his house" (16:43). Neither book says more about what was in Michal's heart than her words, and this answer doesn't either.

The verses

“As the ark of the LORD’s covenant came to David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.”
1 Chronicles 15:29 · World English Bible
“All the people departed, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.”
1 Chronicles 16:43 · World English Bible
“As the LORD’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 the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.”
2 Samuel 6:16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Chronicles 15

1 Chronicles 15: According to the ordinance

David's reason that only the Levites may carry the ark (15:2) uses the very Hebrew verbs of Deuteronomy 10:8, "to bear" and "to minister to him". And his "Sanctify yourselves" and the LORD who "broke out" (15:12-13) are the two verbs of the LORD's warning at Sinai (Exodus 19:22).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions