2 Samuel 3:12-16
Verse 13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.”
Abner, the general of Israel’s army, takes the next step in his plan by sending messengers on his behalf. This shows just how much control he felt he had, he wasn’t sending messengers on behalf of the king of his army to the king of the other army, he was sending them for himself. David responds with a request that may seem to come from nowhere but it shows us what has been on David’s mind and heart even though he hadn’t said anything prior to this. He asks for his first wife to be brought to him. Note that David didn’t make the official negotiations with Abner but sends messengers to King Ish-Bosheth to request his wife, reminding him that he had paid double the price for the king’s sister.
Michal was King Saul’s daughter and she had begged her dad to let her marry David. To win her hand, David had to fight the Philistines and collect the foreskins of 100 of them which he did plus 100 more. David had not felt that he was worthy of the love of a princess but she had proven her love for him by helping him escape her father’s hate. The last he had seen her was when she sent him away to be safe. He must have thought of her often even though he had married 6 other women.
For the time of David’s running and through this first seven and a half years of his reign as king of Judah, his wife has been living as another man’s wife as King Saul had given Michal, to another man. During this time she had settled in, not knowing what would become of David and had likely set her mind to loving the man she was now married to. She didn’t have a choice really, he dad had made it happen and this was her life now.
Paltiel only appears here and in 1 Samuel 25:44 where it is first mentioned that King Saul had given Michal to a new husband. We don’t know much about him, just that he is from the town of Gallim and is the son of Laish. But the most important thing we know about him is he loved his wife dearly. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her and so followed behind as she was taken to David to be reunited with her first husband. After following for some time Abner can no longer stand the sound of his weeping and he is sent back home. Heartbroken, the man walks away from the love of his life, watching her taken away to be given to another man. His beloved wife, a pawn in the schemes of men of power.
Making It Personal
When have you had someone precious to you taken away? How did you deal with the loss of the loved one? How can Jesus help you in the grief?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever lost someone you love? How did it make you feel? What are some ways that Jesus can help you in those times of loss?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the way You comfort us and lead us into peace after heartbreaking experiences. Help us be aware of the pain that those around us are dealing with so we can extend to them comfort and peace from You. In Jesus’ name, amen.