357 - David Danced - Michal Watched

David Danced - Michal Watched
By David Steele

And it was told King David,
"The Lord has blessed the house-
hold of Obededom and all that
belongs to him, because of the
ark of God. " So David went and
brought up the ark of God from
the house of Obededom to the city
of David with rejoicing... And
David danced before the Lord with
all his might; and David was
girded with a linen ephod ...
Michal the daughter of Saul
looked out of the window, and saw
King David leaping and dancing
before the Lord; and she despised
him in her heart ... And David
returned to bless his household.
But Michal the daughter of Saul came
out to meet David, and said, "How
the king of Israel honored himself
today, uncovering himself today
before the eyes of his servants'
maids, as one of the vulgar
fellows shamelessly uncovers
himself!"
And David said to Michal,
"It was before the Lord, who
chose me above your father, and
above all his house, to appoint
me as prince over Israel, the
people of the Lord-and I will
make merry before the Lord."

-II Sam. 6:12-22.

David Steele is the minister of Christ Presbyterian Church in Terra Linda, San Rafael, California. He has served churches in Maryland and Utah and was for several years chaplain at Punahou School in Honolulu. Dr. Steele's narrative poem, "The Jacob Cycle," appeared in the January 1981 issue of THEOLOGY TODAY.

358 - David Danced - Michal Watched

Michal was loyal
To everything royal
For she was the daughter of Saul.
But her husband was poorish
And awfully boorish
With simply no manners at all.

It was her fate
To marry a mate
Who had grown up with chickens and sheep.
How to bring charm
To this boy from the farm
Was causing his queen to lose sleep.

Oh, she had to confess
He was a success,
In the eyes of the world, Dave was famous.
But of how kings comport
Themselves when in court
He remained a complete ignoramus.

David's heart soared
And he danced to the Lord
In a manner more free than refined.
And his poor little wife
Got the shock of her life.
So she gave him a piece of her mind.

"I don't care a smidgen
About your religion
As long as it's solemn and chaste.
But the way you're behaving
With arms wildly waving
Is shockingly lacking in taste."

"While I agree dancing
Is fine for romancing
And I've done no extensive research,
I hope you will see
That it lacks dignity
And is frightfully bad form in church."

"If you must raise
Your spirit in praise,
Please see that it's soothing and calm.
The Lord I am sure
Would really prefer
Something more like the 23rd Psalm."

359 - David Danced - Michal Watched

Then God's anointed
Became disappointed
He knew he had nary a chance
Of ever persuadin'
This prim, regal maiden
That the Lord is a lover of dance.

Churches these days
Talk a lot about Praise
And the Joy that accomp'nies Good News.
But don't tap your feet
Or get out of the seat
For Michal still lurks in the pews.

And when you have ended
She might be offended.
And so it is better by far
To act out your praise
On those great joyful days
With some friends at a neighborhood bar.