Lexical Summary Mikal: Michal Original Word: מִיכָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Michal Apparently the same as miykal; revulet; Mikal, Saul's daughter -- Michal. see HEBREW miykal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition wife of David NASB Translation Michal (17). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִיכַל proper name, feminine (according to Ol§ 277 f., contracted from מִיכָאֵל): — younger daughter of Saul, wife of David (ᵐ5 Μελχολ), 1 Samuel 14:49; 1 Samuel 18:20,27,28; 1 Samuel 19:11,12,13,17 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:13,14; 2 Samuel 6:16 = 1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6:20,21,23; also 2 Samuel 21:8 (ᵐ5 Μιχολ), but error for מֵרַב (ᵐ5L Μεροβ). מַ֫יִם see מַי Topical Lexicon Family background and early mentions Michal is introduced as the younger daughter of King Saul (1 Samuel 14:49). Her royal upbringing placed her at the heart of Israel’s first monarchy, making every subsequent action she took significant to the narrative of Israel’s transition from Saul’s house to David’s. Love for David and the bridal price “Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And when this was reported to Saul, it pleased him” (1 Samuel 18:20). Saul exploited that affection, demanding a perilous bride-price of Philistine foreskins in hopes that David would be killed (1 Samuel 18:25-27). David exceeded the demand, and “Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage” (1 Samuel 18:27). The passage underscores both Michal’s genuine love and Saul’s manipulative hostility—yet the LORD used Saul’s scheme to knit David to the royal house in a covenantal bond that would later legitimize David’s claim to the throne. Courage that preserved the anointed When Saul sent assassins to David’s house, “David’s wife Michal warned him” and devised a daring escape (1 Samuel 19:11-13). Her quick thinking safeguarded the LORD’s anointed and allowed David to continue the path God had ordained for him. Michal employed an idol (teraphim) and deception, methods that Scripture reports without commending, yet her loyalty to David in that crisis remains a testimony of sacrificial courage. Estrangement through Saul’s treachery Saul later severed the marriage unilaterally, giving Michal to Palti son of Laish (1 Samuel 25:44). The action typified Saul’s disregard for covenant obligations and deepened the personal cost David bore while on the run. Restoration and political reconciliation After Saul’s death, David demanded Michal’s return as a non-negotiable term of alliance with Abner: “Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me” (2 Samuel 3:13; cf. 3:14). Bringing her back served multiple purposes: Palti’s emotional parting (2 Samuel 3:16) reveals the human pain woven into larger redemptive movements. Reaction to the Ark’s ascent “As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart” (2 Samuel 6:16). Her ensuing confrontation questioned David’s decorum: “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today…” (6:20). David’s reply affirmed his God-centered worship: “It was before the LORD… and I will celebrate before the LORD” (6:21). The contrast highlights differing spiritual priorities—external dignity versus wholehearted worship—and warns against substituting formality for fervor. Childlessness and final note “And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death” (2 Samuel 6:23). Scripture links her barrenness to the episode with the ark, suggesting that despising true worship carries lasting consequence. The record closes without further detail, indicating that her legacy is inseparably tied to her response to the presence of God. Textual note on 2 Samuel 21:8 Some manuscripts read “Michal” where the Berean Standard Bible, following Hebrew tradition and parallel accounts, reads “Merab.” The canonical narrative elsewhere affirms Michal’s childlessness, so the better textual witness supports “Merab.” This variant does not alter any doctrine and illustrates the providential preservation of Scripture through careful textual transmission. Theological and ministry themes 1. Covenant faithfulness: Michal’s marriage to David, repeatedly attacked yet ultimately honored, illustrates the inviolability of covenant before God. Key passages for study 1 Samuel 18:20-29; 1 Samuel 19:11-17; 1 Samuel 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:13-16; 2 Samuel 6:16-23; 1 Chronicles 15:29. Summary Michal stands as a complex figure—loving, brave, politically significant, yet ultimately spiritually conflicted. Her account invites reflection on faithfulness to covenant, the posture of the heart in worship, and the unthwartable purposes of God that advance through and sometimes in spite of human choices. Forms and Transliterations וּלְמִיכַל֙ וּמִיכַ֥ל וּמִיכַ֨ל ולמיכל ומיכל מִיכַ֔ל מִיכַ֗ל מִיכַ֛ל מִיכַ֜ל מִיכַ֣ל מִיכַ֤ל מִיכַ֥ל מִיכַֽל׃ מִיכַל֒ מִיכַל֙ מיכל מיכל׃ miChal ū·lə·mî·ḵal ū·mî·ḵal ulemiChal ūləmîḵal umiChal ūmîḵalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 14:49 HEB: וְשֵׁ֥ם הַקְּטַנָּ֖ה מִיכַֽל׃ NAS: and the name of the younger Michal. KJV: and the name of the younger Michal: INT: and the name of the younger Michal 1 Samuel 18:20 1 Samuel 18:27 1 Samuel 18:28 1 Samuel 19:11 1 Samuel 19:12 1 Samuel 19:13 1 Samuel 19:17 1 Samuel 19:17 1 Samuel 25:44 2 Samuel 3:13 2 Samuel 3:14 2 Samuel 6:16 2 Samuel 6:20 2 Samuel 6:21 2 Samuel 6:23 2 Samuel 21:8 1 Chronicles 15:29 18 Occurrences |
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