20. To meet David. David had passed his house while accompanying the ark on its way to its new tent and had been observed by Michal ( 16). After completing the various dedicatory ceremonies, he returned to his home and was met by Michal, who in the meantime had been chafing with resentment, hardly able to wait for the opportunity to reproach her husband for the joyous exuberance he had displayed in the ceremonies connected with the transfer of the ark. Michal was completely out of harmony with the spirit of the festive occasion.
There are many in the church today who make a profession of religion but who, when they might be happy, are bitter in spirit. When they should be rejoicing in the Lord they are angry with their brethren. Instead of having their eyes fixed upon the things of God they spend their time finding fault with those who are happy in the Lord. To point this out is not to imply that excitement and emotionalism are necessarily conducive of spirituality. A public display of emotion is not always the measure of a soul’s consecration; a quieter temperament may express a deeper devotion to God by the inward lifting of the soul or by deeds of love. But if the outward manifestation is lacking because of inward apathy or indifference, then dignity becomes formalism.
How glorious. Instead of greeting her husband with a word of joyous welcome, Michal upbraided David with this cutting irony, accusing him of acting more like a buffoon than a king.
Uncovered himself. That is, removed his kingly attire and appeared in public in the simple linen ephod worn by priests and others (see on 14).