NOTES for Ch1 15:1-29

The Levites were to carry the Ark to its new place, but David gathered all the people for the celebration of its transfer. The Levites are not a self-contained caste, but part of the people, although appointed to a particularly important ministry. This part represents the whole: in the Levites before the Ark stand all the people who remain faithful to God. Therefore the transfer of the Ark is a celebration for all the people, a day of joy that is entirely natural before the Lord. This is why David's order that the musicians loudly proclaim the sound of rejoicing is so understandable. Centuries will pass, and the Son of David will bring the Good News to mankind, but David already understands that joy before the Lord is higher than everything people habitually value.

Michal, however, does not reason this way; David's departure from proper etiquette is unbearable to her. Michal's reaction to David's spontaneity reflects not only her inner state; it reveals the inward closedness that so often prevents a person from opening both to the Lord and to other people.