1 Chronicles 15:29
New International Version
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.

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.

English Standard Version
And as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

Berean Standard Bible
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

New King James Version
And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.

New American Standard Bible
When the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart.

NASB 1995
It happened when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart.

NASB 1977
And it happened when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and making merry; and she despised him in her heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart.

Amplified Bible
It happened that as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, Michal [David’s wife] the daughter of Saul, looking down through a window, saw King David leaping and dancing [in celebration]; and she despised him in her heart.

Christian Standard Bible
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing, and she despised him in her heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of Jehovah came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

Contemporary English Version
Saul's daughter Michal looked out her window and watched the chest being brought into David's City. But when she saw David jumping and dancing in honor of the LORD, she was disgusted.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the ark of the LORD's promise came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, so she despised him.

Good News Translation
As the Box was being brought into the city, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and leaping for joy, and she was disgusted with him.

International Standard Version
But as the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD approached the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal was peering out a window, watching King David dancing and cavorting around, and she despised him in her heart.

Majority Standard Bible
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul?s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

NET Bible
As the ark of the LORD's covenant entered the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out the window. When she saw King David jumping and celebrating, she despised him.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Mikal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul, looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

World English Bible
As the ark of Yahweh’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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH is entering into the City of David, and Michal daughter of Saul is looking through the window, and sees King David dancing and playing, and despises him in her heart.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, the ark of the covenant of Jehovah is entering in unto the city of David, and Michal daughter of Saul is looking through the window, and seeth king David dancing and playing, and despiseth him in her heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the ark of the covenant of Jehovah will be coming even to the city of David, and Michel daughter of Saul, looking forth from a window, and she will see king David leaping and playing: and she will despise him in her heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord was come to the city of David, Michol the daughter of Saul looking out at a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord had arrived in the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, gazing through a window, saw king David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

New American Bible
But as the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal, daughter of Saul, looked down from her window, and when she saw King David leaping and dancing, she despised him in her heart.

New Revised Standard Version
As the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing; and she despised him in her heart.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass as the ark in which was the covenant of the LORD reached the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out a window and saw David dancing and playing, and she despised him in her heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was that when the ark that has in it the Covenant of LORD JEHOVAH had arrived and entered and arrived in its place at the city of David, Malkal, daughter of Shaul, looked out from a window, and she saw King David who was performing, and she despised him in her heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and making merry; and she despised him in her heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the ark of the covenant of the Lord arrived, and came to the city of David; and Melchol the daughter of Saul looked down through the window, and saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Michal's Contempt for David
29As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

Cross References
2 Samuel 6:16
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

2 Samuel 6:20-23
When David returned home to bless his own household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today!” she said. “He has uncovered himself today in the sight of the maidservants of his subjects, like a vulgar person would do.” / But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD, / and I will humiliate and humble myself even more than this. Yet I will be honored by the maidservants of whom you have spoken.” ...

1 Chronicles 13:8-10
David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. / When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

1 Chronicles 16:43
Then all the people departed for their homes, and David returned home to bless his household.

2 Samuel 6:14-15
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, / while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.

1 Chronicles 13:3-4
Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” / And because this proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to it.

1 Chronicles 16:1-3
So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. / When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. / Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

1 Chronicles 17:1
After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

1 Kings 8:1-11
At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, ...

Psalm 132:8-9
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. / May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy.

Matthew 21:15-16
But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” / “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

Luke 19:37-40
And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: / “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” / But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” ...

John 12:12-15
The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. / They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” / Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: ...

Ephesians 5:19-20
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, / always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

as the ark

1 Chronicles 17:1
Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.

Numbers 10:33
And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.

Deuteronomy 31:26
Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Lord

2 Samuel 6:16
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Michal

1 Samuel 18:27,28
Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife…

1 Samuel 19:11-17
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain…

1 Samuel 25:44
But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.

dancing

Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Psalm 30:11
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Psalm 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

she despised

2 Samuel 6:20-23
Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! …

Psalm 69:7-9
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face…

Acts 2:13
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

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Ark Celebrating City Covenant Dancing Daughter David Despised Heart Leaping Making Merry Michal Playing Saul Window
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Ark Celebrating City Covenant Dancing Daughter David Despised Heart Leaping Making Merry Michal Playing Saul Window
1 Chronicles 15
1. David having prepared a place for the ark,
15. the priests and Levites bring it from Obed-Edom
25. He performs the solemnity thereof with great joy
29. Michal despises him














As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David
The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel. Its entry into the City of David, which is Jerusalem, marked a significant moment in Israel's religious history. David had established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel, and bringing the Ark there symbolized God's blessing and favor. This event fulfilled David's desire to make Jerusalem the heart of worship for the nation, aligning with God's plan for a centralized place of worship (Deuteronomy 12:5-7).

Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window
Michal, the daughter of Saul and wife of David, observed the procession from a window, a position that suggests detachment and possibly judgment. Her lineage as Saul's daughter is significant, as it highlights the tension between Saul's house and David's. Windows in ancient times were often small openings, indicating that Michal was not participating in the celebration but rather observing from a distance, both physically and emotionally.

and saw King David dancing and celebrating
David's dancing was an expression of exuberant worship and joy before the LORD. His actions demonstrated a heart fully devoted to God, unashamed to express his faith publicly. This moment is reminiscent of other biblical figures who worshiped with abandon, such as Miriam in Exodus 15:20-21. David's celebration was a public acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and blessing upon Israel.

and she despised him in her heart
Michal's disdain for David's actions reveals a deeper spiritual and relational conflict. Her contempt may have stemmed from her upbringing in Saul's household, where the focus was more on royal dignity than on heartfelt worship. This internal conflict is further explored in 2 Samuel 6:20-23, where Michal confronts David, and he defends his actions as being for the LORD. Her despising of David can be seen as a rejection of the new spiritual order that David was establishing, contrasting with her father's reign. This moment also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the failure to recognize genuine worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with His people.

2. City of David
Also known as Jerusalem, it was the political and spiritual center of Israel during King David's reign.

3. Michal, Daughter of Saul
The first wife of King David and daughter of the former King Saul. Her reaction to David's worship is central to this verse.

4. King David
The second king of Israel, known for his deep devotion to God. His actions in this passage reflect his exuberant worship.

5. The Event of Bringing the Ark
A significant moment in Israel's history, symbolizing the return of God's presence to the center of national life.
Teaching Points
The Heart of Worship
David's uninhibited worship before the Lord serves as a model for believers to express genuine and heartfelt praise, regardless of others' opinions.

The Danger of Despising Worship
Michal's disdain for David's worship highlights the risk of allowing pride or misunderstanding to hinder our appreciation of others' devotion to God.

The Presence of God
The Ark's return to Jerusalem symbolizes the centrality of God's presence in the life of His people, reminding us to prioritize His presence in our lives.

Relational Dynamics in Worship
The tension between David and Michal underscores the impact that differing views on worship can have on relationships, encouraging open communication and understanding.(29) And it came to pass.--The verse reads in the Hebrew like a modernised form of 2Samuel 6:16.

As the ark of the covenant of the Lord came.--Rather, The ark had come so far as to the city, and Michal had looked forth by the lattice, and she saw . . .

Dancing and playing.--In the Hebrew two common words have been substituted for the two obsolete ones occurring in Samuel.

Playing.--The Hebrew word denotes dancing combined with singing and playing (Jeremiah 30:19; 1Samuel 18:6-7).

She despised him.--Because he seemed forgetful of his royal and manly honour, in dancing like a woman.

. . .

Verse 29. - Thus briefly is given by our compiler what occupies five verses (2 Samuel 6:19, 20-23) in the Book of Samuel. Neither of the words here rendered dancing and playing (but which would be better rendered "leaping and dancing") is the same with those employed in 2 Samuel 6:14, 16, where our Authorized Version rendering is "dancing" and "leaping and dancing" respectively. The word in both of those verses that represents the dancing, does correctly so represent, bet is a somewhat generic form, as it carries the idea of dancing in a circle. The reason of Michal "despising David in her heart" can only be found in the unreason and the irreligion of that heart itself. She was a type of not a few, who despise devotion, enthusiasm, and above all practical liberality and generosity, on the part of any individual of their own family, when these are shown to Christ and his Church, and when they think they may be a trifle the poorer for it, or when they feel that the liberality and devotion of another exposes their own "poverty" in both these respects.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As the ark
אֲרוֹן֙ (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the covenant
בְּרִ֣ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

was
וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

entering
בָּ֖א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the City
עִ֣יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of David,
דָּוִ֑יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Saul’s
שָׁא֜וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

Michal
וּמִיכַ֨ל (ū·mî·ḵal)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4324: Michal -- wife of David

looked down
נִשְׁקְפָ֣ה ׀ (niš·qə·p̄āh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8259: To overhang, look out or down

from
בְּעַ֣ד (bə·‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

a window
הַחַלּ֗וֹן (ha·ḥal·lō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2474: A window

and saw
וַתֵּ֨רֶא (wat·tê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

King
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

David
דָּוִיד֙ (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

dancing
מְרַקֵּ֣ד (mə·raq·qêḏ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7540: To stamp, to spring about

and celebrating,
וּמְשַׂחֵ֔ק (ū·mə·śa·ḥêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play

and she despised
וַתִּ֥בֶז (wat·ti·ḇez)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 959: To disesteem

him
ל֖וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 0: 0

in her heart.
בְּלִבָּֽהּ׃ (bə·lib·bāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 15:29 It happened as the ark (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 15:28
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