2 Samuel 6:14

“And David danced before the Lord with all [his] might, etc.] That is, before the ark of the Lord; not a set dance, or along with others; but he leaped and skipped as “car”, a lamb, does, and that for joy that the ark was like to be brought home to his house, without any token of the divine displeasure, as before; the Targum is, “he praised before the Lord with all his might;” exerted himself to the uttermost in singing the praises of God vocally, or by playing on an instrument; to which sense are the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, which is approved of by Castel f116; who observes, it nowhere appears to have been a custom to dance before the ark; but it might be now done, though not…”

“David danced before the Lord--The Hebrews, like other ancient people, had their sacred dances, which were performed on their solemn anniversaries and other great occasions of commemorating some special token of the divine goodness and favor. with all his might--intimating violent efforts of leaping, and divested of his royal mantle (in a state of undress), conduct apparently unsuitable to the gravity of age or the dignity of a king. But it was unquestionably done as an act of religious homage, his attitudes and dress being symbolic, as they have always been in Oriental countries, of penitence, joy, thankfulness, and devotion. [See on Ch1 15:27.]”

“Danced - The Hebrew word is found only here and in 2 Samuel 6:16. It means “to dance in a circle,” hence, simply to dance. The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 15:27 gives a widely different sense. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Danced - To express his thankfulness to God by his outward carriage, according to the manner of those times. Linen ephod - The usual habit of the priests and Levites, in their sacred ministrations yet sometimes worn by others, as it was by the young child Samuel; and so David, who laid by his royal robes, and put on this robe to declare, that although he was king of Israel, yet he willingly owned himself to be the Lord's minister and servant. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 6:16”

“6:14 priestly garment: This word (Hebrew ’epod, “ephod”) is associated with an Akkadian word, epattu, meaning “a costly garment.” Richly ornamented with gold, this garment was used for robing statues of gods. Because priests and (sometimes) kings were considered sacred persons, they traditionally used garments of this type (see 1 Sam 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18; 23:6, 9).”

“danced: Exo 15:20; Jdg 11:34, Jdg 21:21; Psa 30:11, Psa 149:3, Psa 150:4; Luk 15:25 with all his: Deu 6:5; Ecc 9:10; Col 3:23 girded: Sa1 2:18, Sa1 2:28, Sa1 22:18; Ch1 15:27 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 6:15”

“"And David danced with all his might before the Lord (i.e., before the ark), and was girded with a white ephod (shoulder-dress)." Dancing, as an expression of holy enthusiasm, was a customary thing from time immemorial: we meet with it as early as at the festival of thanksgiving at the Red Sea ( Exo 15:20); but there, and also at subsequent celebrations of the different victories gained by the Israelites, none but women are described as taking part in it ( Jdg 11:34; Jdg 21:19; Sa1 18:6). The white ephod was, strictly speaking, a priestly costume, although in the law it is not prescribed as the dress to be worn by them when performing their official duties, but rather as the dress which…”