Michal and David's Argument/2
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Michal and David Argue
Exegetical Approaches
Dispute Over Monarchic Behavior
Michal and David's dispute stemmed from differing attitudes towards kingship. Michal put human honor above Divine glory and thus found David's behavior before the ark undignified and unbecoming of royalty. Her outlook reflected that of the rejected House of Shaul, while David's opposing view merited him dynastic leadership.
וַתִּבֶז לוֹ בְּלִבָּהּ
"אֲשֶׁר נִגְלָה הַיּוֹם " – Midrash Rabbah maintains that Michal denigrated David for his immodesty in dancing and revealing himself before the maidservants, claiming that her father's household had much more self respect.
"לְעֵינֵי אַמְהוֹת עֲבָדָיו" – These words suggests that Michal was further troubled by David's mingling with those of lower stature than himself. It was not becoming of a king to dance with the masses, as if he were one of them.
David's retort: repetition of "לִפְנֵי י"י" – Twice in his response to Michal, David repeats that his actions were doneלִפְנֵי י"י" ,"1 emphasizing to his wife that before God,the true king, he really is no different than anyone else in the nation. As such, joining the nation was not shame worthy, but a means of glorifying Hashem.
Michal bat Shaul
No children
Hanging of "Michal's children"
Evaluation of David
Anguish Regarding Marital Relations
Michal's outburst related to her personal, family life with David. Seeing him dance with the maidservants highlighted to her the one-sidedness of their relationship.
