- 118-
But in that most joyous hour David had once more to experience, how little
sympathy he could expect, even in his own household. Although we can understand
the motives which influenced Michal's "contempt" of David's bearing, we would
scarcely have been prepared for the language in which she addressed him when, in
the fullness of his heart, he came to bless his assembled household, nor yet for the
odious representation she gave of the scene. Such public conduct on her part
deserved and, in the circumstances, required the almost harsh rebuke of the king.
The humiliation of the proud woman before man was ratified by her humiliation on
the part of God: "Therefore Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child unto the day
of her death."
The placing of the Ark in the capital of Israel, thus making it "the city of God," was
an event not only of deep national but of such typical importance, that it is
frequently referred to in the sacred songs of the sanctuary. No one will have any
difficulty in recognizing Psalm 24 as the hymn composed for this occasion. But
other Psalms also refer to it, amongst which, without entering on details that may be
profitably studied by each reader, we may mention Psalm 15, 68, 78, and especially
Psalm 101, as indicating, so to speak, the moral bearing of the nearness of God's ark
upon the king and his kingdom.
(^)