David and Michal Reunited
Introduction: After David escaped for his life from his house as his wife Michal let him down through a window, he did not see her again for quite a few years. King Saul periodically searched for David to kill him. After Saul’s death, David became king at Hebron, while one of Saul’s sons became king at Jerusalem. Seven years of conflict between the divided kingdom ended when the people loyal to Saul wanted David to be king over all Israel, and that is when David and Michal were reunited.
NOTE: All scripture is from the 1833 Webster Bible.
A — King Saul Gave Michal to Be the Wife of Another Man
1 Samuel 25 “42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. 43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives. 44 But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.”
Comments: During the several years that David avoided armed conflict with King Saul, he took Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives. Meanwhile, Saul gave his daughter Michal to be the wife of a man named Phalti the son of Laish. Scripture provides no other information about him, or why Saul chose him as the new husband for Michal.
B — Abner Made a Pact with David — Requiring Michal’s Return
2 Samuel 3 “13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou shalt first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, Deliver to me my wife Michal, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her, weeping behind her to Bahurim.”
Comments: David was king at Hebron for seven years, during which time six sons were born to David from six different wives. When Abner, Saul’s powerful military commander, proposed joining with David to bring all Israel together, David sent back a positive response with an ultimatum to bring his first wife Michal. David also sent messengers directly to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, requiring Michal to be given to him. Abner took Michal back to David, allowing her husband Phaltiel to follow only as far as Bahurim before being sent back.
C — Michal Despised David’s Public Worship of the LORD
2 Samuel 6 “16 And 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. 20 Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21 And David said to Michal, It was before the LORD, who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until the day of her death.”
Comments: At what was likely the highest point of joy in David’s life as he brought the Ark of the LORD into Jerusalem, Michal was disgusted by his unbridled celebration and worship. When David returned to his household, Michal came out to meet him with scorn and mocking. David’s response was very direct: it was before the LORD, who chose him rather than her father or any from his house, to appoint him ruler over Israel. Therefore David said he would celebrate before the LORD and be even more undignified. The scripture then records that Michal was childless until the day of her death — the same woman who had years earlier placed an idol in David’s bed after letting him escape through a window.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I accept the fact that before the time of Christ, your chosen men often had multiple wives. There is no indication in scripture that David had sinned before you when he took his first wife Michal back, when he became king over all Israel. At the time that was likely the highest point of joy in David’s life as he brought the Ark of the LORD into Jerusalem, Michal was disgusted by his unbridled celebration and worship. Michal is a strong contrast to Abigail, who had lavish praise for you LORD and gave recognition to your choice of David to become king over Israel. Saul had hoped his daughter Michal would be a snare to David, but you frustrated his desire and protected David through many trials. Thank you, Lord, for providing this record that has been an encouragement to me. Because I have placed my faith in you, I believe you will guide me through unexpected difficulties that come my way. Amen, and amen.
Published 22 April 2016