A Book Called YouSýnishorn

The Enthusiast

In 2 Samuel 6:14, look at what King David was doing: “David danced before the Lord with all his might.” David was an Enthusiast.  

When I read that verse—“David danced before the Lord with all his might”—I think of the movie Footloose. It cracks me up. I’ve been married to Tammy for more than twenty-four years. We have two daughters, and they all love to watch the 1980s movie Footloose. I had to explain to my girls and my wife, “When guys are frustrated or when they’re really angry, they don’t go out and dance.”  Right, guys? That’s generally how we work. 

But David “danced before the Lord.” Who’s David? David is one of the most important figures in the Bible. He’s a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). God selected him, and you need to know about his life: David was a great man who did great things, and he also did horrible things. But whatever he did, he did it with all his might no matter what direction he was going. He had fun— and screwed up his life and many others’ lives.

But at that moment, in 2 Samuel 6:14, David “danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.” This was like the pope in a mosh pit. All the Catholics are like, Oh no. It was funny when you made fun of the Baptists but not when you bring the pope into it. Now you’re uncomfortable. I’m just saying the Bible says David danced with all his might, and he was wearing a priestly garment. That’s what Scripture says. 

The story continues, “So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns” (v. 15). 

Growing up as a Christian, I heard people in the church often say that you can’t put God in a box, but in 2 Samuel, God was in a box! God was in this box, so to speak—the ark. The Israelites had it, and they were super excited about it. It’s the presence of God. David was super excited, too, so “Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy.” Notice the verse says “shouts of joy.” Some of you are going to be convicted about how you worship. The only thing you’ve ever shouted at is your TV when your favorite team is winning. That is when you praise. That’s when you shout, right? Some of you are more passionate about your sports team than you are about Jesus, and you have to check yourself. When David wor shipped the Lord, he got excited. He shouted with joy.

It is amazing how critical we can be when other people cut loose and worship. We just stand there looking at them, thinking, Is that really genuine? 

Michal saw her husband, King David, leaping and dancing with all his might.

Wives, admit it: you’ve all seen your husbands doing something where you’re like, “Ugh!” 

Guys, wives are like the rails in the bowl ing alley—you don’t think you need them. You say, “I’m gonna bowl a 300.” No, you’re not! Get those rails on the lanes; they let you know when you’re in the gutter.

Michal was looking at her husband, and she was embarrassed. Why? Because Footloose is embarrassing. It is. Unless you are Kevin Bacon. (Side note: people say I look like Kevin Bacon, but I cannot dance like him!) David was dancing, leaping before the Lord, and she was filled with contempt for him.

“When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal came out to meet him” (v. 19–20). You know you’re in trouble when your wife is in the driveway.

“She said in disgust, ‘How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!’” (v. 20).

We don’t know what happened but at some point during the party, clothing went flying. I guess that is what happens when you’re leaping and dancing. You’re not responsible for the linen flying off—it just happens. But Michal noticed.

“David retorted to Michal, ‘I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family!’” (v. 21). Things just got personal. Michal’s father was Saul, the former king of Israel. 

“He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” (vv. 21–22).

David was saying, “Look, when I worship God, things can get crazy. I might go a little nuts out there, but that’s how God made me. That’s who I am. And when I worship God, I do it with everything I have.”

That’s what the Enthusiast does. Whatever they are doing, they’re all in. They’re all in all the time. How about you? Do you worship the Lord with the abandon of the Enthusiast? 

Respond

Describe a time when the goodness of God overwhelmed you.

How do you express your love and gratitude toward the Lord? 

Prayer 

Father, today give me the joy David felt and fill my heart with praise