2 Samuel 3 · a question people ask
Why did David want Michal back?
The chapter gives only David's own words. He agrees to a treaty with Abner, with "one thing I require of you" (3:13): "you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter" (3:13). To Ishbosheth he says, "Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines" (3:14). That was the price Saul had named (1 Samuel 18:25), and "Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife" (1 Samuel 18:27). Later "Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish" (1 Samuel 25:44). The chapter gives no other reason, and it doesn't say what Michal thought or said. It tells of her husband: "Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim" (3:16), until Abner told him, "Go! Return!" (3:16). The next time Michal is named, she sees David dancing before the LORD, "and she despised him in her heart" (6:16). This answer doesn't go past what the verses say.
The verses
“David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish. Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned.”
“Saul said, “Tell David, ‘The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.”
“David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as wife.”
“Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.”