2 Samuel 6:22
ESV
I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor."
NIV
I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."
NASB
And I might demean myself even more than this and be lowly in my own sight, but with the female slaves of whom you have spoken, with them I am to be held in honor!'
CSB
and I will dishonor myself and humble myself even more. However, by the slave girls you spoke about, I will be honored."
NLT
Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!'
KJV
And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
NKJV
And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”
What does 2 Samuel 6:22 mean?
About one hundred years before these events, the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10) had sat in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle of Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:3). Since then, it's moved often (1 Samuel 4, 11; 6:1–21; 7:1–2; 14:18). David has become king of all Israel, captured the city of Jerusalem, and set up his capital (2 Samuel 5:1–10). Now, he's brought the ark to his city (2 Samuel 6:1–15). The tabernacle and the altar are in Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39–40), but the symbol of God's presence is with David.David is so joyful and grateful to God that he joined in with the dancers. He danced with enthusiasm, wearing a short, loose robe (1 Samuel 6:14). He didn't care who saw him or what they thought. His wife, Michal, was very concerned with appearances. She's horrified and embarrassed at the un-king-like behavior of her husband and has no problem telling him so (2 Samuel 6:16, 20).
His initial response to her harsh criticism is restrained. David emphasizes that God chose him to be king over Michals' own father King Saul (1 Samuel 18:20–21) and everyone else in her family (2 Samuel 6:20–21).
Here, David continues to rebuke his wife, saying he will continue to celebrate the Lord, in ways that she might find even more disgraceful. The servant girls who watched him dance will continue to honor him. David will not change his passionate worship to please his wife or gain her approval.
David's psalms prove that he senses something Michal doesn't: humans are undignified. God decides which leader rises and which falls, which nation wins the battle, and which is destroyed by drought. Michal has her position because her father was king and she was allowed to marry his greatest warrior (1 Samuel 18:26) who is now king. David came from nothing. He knows that every blessing he has is from God (James 1:17), and he will praise his Lord. Abasing himself is a very appropriate posture before the God of the universe.
