The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 176

Ven.. 20-22.-..4. despiser rebuked. The history of Michal is rather an unhappy one. In early life she became enamoured of David, to whom she was reluctantly given by her father. .Afterwards, when Saul became the enemy,of David, she was given to another, from whom, after many years, she was tom by her first husband, more, probably, from policy than affection. It is likely she had no warm affection for him now. She may have resented his succeeding to her father's throne. She had no sympa.thy with his religious zeal Probably she originally admired the hero rather than loved the saint ; and now that his fervour in religion has so strangely displayed itself, she can contain herself no longer. She felt herself-a king's daughter--disgraced by his vulgar conduct; and she resolves to t.ell him her mind about it; and so, as he returns to his house in joyous religious excitement, eager to bless his family, as he had just blessed the people, she meets him with bitter reproaches, to which he, surprised and mortified, returns a bitter answer, in which are, nevertheless, good reasons for his conduct. L HER BEPBOAOH. It was in snbstance that his conduct had been undignified a.nd indecent. The charge was plausible, but unjust. Her anger and want of sympathy with her husband's zeal led her to misrepresentation of proceedings which were innocent and praiseworthy. Similar lack of sympathy with ardent piety often leads to similar unjust judgment. Many are ready to condemn modes of expressing or promoting religion which are foreign to their own habits. But what would be unsuitable and unprofitable to one class of persons may be the reverse to another; and what would not be suitable as an ordinary practice may be allowable and commendable under special circumstances. In times of general excitement men will do what would be ridicnlous at other times. Zacchieus climbed a tree to get a good view of Jesus, regardless of dignity and the possible ridicule of the crowd ; and he was rewarded for it. David would not have displayed his zeal by leading the multitude in music and singing and dancing under ordinary circumstances. Reproach and condemnation are to be estimated partly according to the persons who utter them. Many who are ready to do so are incapable of passing just judgment, on account of a total or partial want of religion. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God I for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. ii. 14). And some who are not destitute of religion are so con- tracted in their views and feelings that they are unable to estimate rightly the religion of others. John the Baptist practised abstinence, and was said to have a demon, Jesus lived as ordinary men, and was condemned as a glutton and winebibber. The apostles on the Day of Pentecost were said to be "full of new wine." Those who are fond of orderliness and dignity in religion are prone to condemn all kinds of excitement and the freedom of form and expression which it favours. But it is po~sible to sacrifice CtJ, VJ, 1-23.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 181