2Sa 6:16-23 | TNotes | STEP | 6:16 Michal is identified as the daughter of Saul three times (6:16 , 20 , 23 ). The use of her father’s name underscores the ambiguity of David’s relationship to her. Was she more David’s wife or Saul’s daughter? Had David reunited with her (3:13 ) because he loved her or because she was politically useful to him? • Michal might have been filled with contempt for any of the following reasons: (1) She thought David’s behavior was too sexually suggestive in front of a young female audience; (2) she was jealous over the glory David was receiving while she sat at home, a neglected wife; (3) she resented David’s indifference to her for many years, his taking of other wives, and her being torn away from her second husband Palti (3:16-17 ); or (4) she felt sorrow for her late father and David’s success at the expense of Saul’s dynasty (see study note on 6:21).

6:16 ^a Michal is identified as the daughter of Saul three times (6:16 ^b, 20 ^c, 23 ^d). The use of her father’s name underscores the ambiguity of David’s relationship to her. Was she more David’s wife or Saul’s daughter? Had David reunited with her (3:13 ^e) because he loved her or because she was politically useful to him?

• Michal might have been filled with contempt for any of the following reasons: (1) She thought David’s behavior was too sexually suggestive in front of a young female audience; (2) she was jealous over the glory David was receiving while she sat at home, a neglected wife; (3) she resented David’s indifference to her for many years, his taking of other wives, and her being torn away from her second husband Palti (3:16-17 ^f); or (4) she felt sorrow for her late father and David’s success at the expense of Saul’s dynasty (see study note on 6:21).
6:17 ^g While the special tent for the Ark was not as opulent as the tent used during the wilderness wandering, this tent was a return to the wilderness tradition suspended two generations earlier at the destruction of Shiloh (Ps 78:60-61 ^h). David’s special tent was the very last Tabernacle; Solomon, David’s successor, built a permanent Temple for the Lord. Because this occasion was joyous, not penitential, the sacrifice included burnt offerings and peace offerings but not sin or guilt offerings.
6:18 ⁱ blessed the people: Although blessing was typically the express function of priests, kings also offered blessings at significant national occasions (Solomon, 1 Kgs 8:14 ^j, 55 ^k; 2 Chr 6:3 ^l; Hezekiah, 2 Chr 31:8 ^m).
6:19 ⁿ David’s gifts of food to every Israelite anticipated other royal gifts they would receive under his reign.
6:21 ^o David’s response to Michal might hint at the real reason for her indignation—that she resented David’s success in light of the tragic decline of her father’s family.
6:22 ^p David would not restrain his enthusiasm in celebrating before the Lord. In fact, he would exceed the enthusiasm he had shown thus far.
6:23 ^q Michal was the only one of David’s many wives who did not bear him at least one child. Either God was punishing her (cp. Gen 20:17-18 ^r) for her disdainful attitude toward David’s exuberant praise, or David and Michal’s relationship had become so strained that they never again shared the marriage bed. Because Michal remained childless, yet another aspect of Saul’s dynasty was cut off. This occasion is Michal’s last appearance in the text.