2 Samuel 6:20
‘But when David returned to bless his own household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel dignified himself today! For he exposed himself today in the sight of his servants’ female slaves, as one of the rabble shamelessly exposes himself!”’
David is on a big high. He is king over all of Israel, the ark of the covenant is in town with him. He and the people went through an amazing ceremony bringing it back. He blessed the people and was ready to come home and bless his house. Out walks one of his wives and belittles him.
This is just like the devil to interrupt God's blessings. He will punch us in the gut at times. He is the enemy of the good. If we are serving Christ and making a difference in people's lives, we should expect it. If we are lukewarm, he will leave us alone. It will be the Holy Spirit who would seek to shake us out of our complacency.
This is unfortunate as Michel was in David's house. It's like the enemy within. Our homes are our sanctuarys and are to be safe. I'm not sure how much a believer she was. God was a major part of David's life and he couldn't share that with her. Quite the opposite, she belittled his worship.
What this meant was that David and Michel were going in different directions. It's difficult to make a marriage work in this circumstance. I'm assuming David had a large house which had parts dedicated and separate for each of his wives. He might not have spent much time in Michel's portion. Sad.
We will be attacked at inopportune times. Ephesians 6:16 tells us what to do, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." We need to see it for what it is, an attack from the enemy. Christians have three enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil (Ephesians 2:1-3). It came from a person, but it was influenced by one of those three. Don't take them seriously. It hits us while on fire. If we get worried and give it attention that is keeping the fire alive. We want to put the fire out. Ignore it. It's usually all drama. The shield of faith trusts that God's got this. Our emotions want to take us on a train of despair and depression. Don't get on it. Trust that God isn't surprised and will help and try to cheerfully go on with the day.
Michel did more than belittle David. But that he exposed himself. That is bordering criminal in our day. This could stick with someone and create great worry and shame. I would treat it the same way. Shrug it off and see the source is coming from bitter envy or at least an arrogance that is worried about appearance.
This is a hurtful comment. James 3:8 speaks of this, "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." We will struggle our entire lives with our tongues. Normally we seek to avoid those who are abusive in speech. This is difficult if that one is our spouse (Proverbs 27:15).
Thus is the challenge for us as christians, we are to love all, even those who are difficult. I Peter 3:7 speaks to us husbands, "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." We need to seek to understand our wives. If they are contentious, there is a reason. Pray about that, become a student of our wives. Not caring for her can hinder our prayers.
Lord, thank You for these examples in scripture that teach us.