INQUIRY:
Was Michal angry with David for dancing (2 Samuel 6:14-16) or for uncovering himself (2 Samuel 6:20)? Is there a contradiction?
RESPONSE:
First, let’s acknowledge that it is entirely possible for someone to be angry with another for multiple reasons at the same time. In fact, it is not uncommon in a marriage for a man to have angered his wife (hopefully unintentionally) on more than one count.
That said, the questioner has read into 2 Samuel 6:16. It says Michal saw king David “leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.” Why did she despise him? This verse does not say. It tells us what he was doing, and that she was upset, but it does not state that she was angry that he danced before the LORD.
Verse 20 does tell us what she was upset about. David had uncovered himself while he was dancing. Again, verse 16 says he was “leaping and whirling.” In his leaping and whirling, his garments must have rose up, and he became uncovered.
David defended himself (v 21-22), and it seems Michal had more issues with David than his being uncovered that day (oh, maybe the multiple wives he now had). However, she did not despise his dancing because he was dancing, but because he became uncovered before the maidens.
There is no contradiction.
A response to 1001 Bible Contradictions.
