2 Samuel 3:12–16

Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, “Whose is the land?” saying also, “Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you.”

And David said, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish. Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, “Go, return!” And he returned.

It hard not to feel sorry for Paltiel. His marriage is suddenly ripped asunder. One minute he’s happily married (we assume) and the next his wife is taken from him.

But Paltiel had to know that his marriage to Michal wasn’t legitimate from the get-go. Neither David nor Michal did anything to destroy their marriage. Saul was wrong to give her to Paltiel in 1 Samuel 25:44.

Paltiel is learning a tough lesson the hard way. Participating in evil can get painful.

But what about Michal? She’s being tossed around like a poker chip. What about her feelings?

Scripture is remarkably clear on this. David is her first love and her one true love.

Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. — 1 Samuel 18:20a

Thus Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him; and Saul was still more afraid of David. — 1 Samuel 18:28–29a

Saul also sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and to kill him in the morning. And Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window. And he went and fled and escaped.. — 1 Samuel 19:11–12

David demanding her return is further evidence that their bond remains after many years apart.

This isn’t the end of their love story either. Later we will see Michal mocking David for what she perceives as a misbehavior.

And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” — 2 Samuel 6:20b

This is compelling evidence, not of weakness, but of strength in their marriage.

In that era, very few people could talk like that to the king.

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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday ones are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to the DEEP click here:  https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, can be downloaded here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.