Reign of David
639
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.”
Again the joyful interrogation was heard, “Who is this King of
glory?” And the voice of the great multitude, like “the sound of many
waters,” was heard in the rapturous reply:
“The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:7-10
.
Then the gates were opened wide, the procession entered, and
with reverent awe the ark was deposited in the tent that had been pre-
pared for its reception. Before the sacred enclosure altars for sacrifice
were erected; the smoke of peace offerings and burnt offerings, and
the clouds of incense, with the praises and supplications of Israel,
ascended to heaven. The service ended, the king himself pronounced
a benediction upon his people. Then with regal bounty he caused gifts
of food and wine to be distributed for their refreshment.
All the tribes had been represented in this service, the celebration
of the most sacred event that had yet marked the reign of David. The
Spirit of divine inspiration had rested upon the king, and now as the
last beams of the setting sun bathed the tabernacle in a hallowed light,
his heart was uplifted in gratitude to God that the blessed symbol of
His presence was now so near the throne of Israel.
Thus musing, David turned toward his palace, “to bless his house-
hold.” But there was one who had witnessed the scene of rejoicing with
a spirit widely different from that which moved the heart of David. “As
the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter
looked through a window, and saw King David leaping and dancing
before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.” In the bitterness
of her passion she could not await David’s return to the palace, but
went out to meet him, and to his kindly greeting poured forth a torrent
of bitter words. Keen and cutting was the irony of her speech:
“How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself
today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain
fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!”
[709]
[710]
[711]
David felt that it was the service of God which Michal had despised
and dishonored, and he sternly answered: “It was before the Lord,