It's a sad truth, but a truth none-the-less.
Marriage generally starts with a lot of love. Whether it's superficial, or deep - there's generally love there.
We are filled with the joys of that new union - of the joy of being together as husband and wife. So much to learn - so much to do - so much pleasure. It's a joyful and wonderful time, with a closeness being gained day by day.
Many marriages then deepen and grow - day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. It's a blessing to get to know each other better. For our love to grow and mature.
But, did you know - love isn't always like those early days. We hit rough patches. We don't always agree. We have conflicts. It happens, because we are all sinners who don't always behave in the God-given manner we ought to.
Having these moments is inevitable.
It certainly happened with Michal and David. The love that we hear of in the beginning, sadly seems to vanish in the scripture we read now.
How do I know the love has vanished? That Michal has slipped into an attitude that is bitter and unloving? That she showed no respect to her husband?
Marriage generally starts with a lot of love. Whether it's superficial, or deep - there's generally love there.
We are filled with the joys of that new union - of the joy of being together as husband and wife. So much to learn - so much to do - so much pleasure. It's a joyful and wonderful time, with a closeness being gained day by day.
Many marriages then deepen and grow - day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. It's a blessing to get to know each other better. For our love to grow and mature.
But, did you know - love isn't always like those early days. We hit rough patches. We don't always agree. We have conflicts. It happens, because we are all sinners who don't always behave in the God-given manner we ought to.
Having these moments is inevitable.
It certainly happened with Michal and David. The love that we hear of in the beginning, sadly seems to vanish in the scripture we read now.
How do I know the love has vanished? That Michal has slipped into an attitude that is bitter and unloving? That she showed no respect to her husband?
"And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart."
II Samuel 6:16
Oh, how sad!! She DESPISED him, when she saw him rejoicing that the Ark had returned. She DESPISED to see him happy, and praising. She chose not to rejoice with him, but to despise what he did.
If we cannot, as a couple, choose to be at one in our efforts, energies and activities, you are going to end up the same way as Michal. With a twisted, bitterness of heart. With the inability to respect your husband. With a lack of love and devotion.
Not only did she think it in her heart - she went a step further and made sure that other people knew how she felt about her husband.
"Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said "How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! "
II Samuel 6:20
David was on his way back to his home, to rejoice with his family and household - to rejoice at the goodness of God. Michal leaves the house, to come out and MEET him where he is, and then lays into him about the foolish way she thought he had behaved. Talking him down - and doing so in public.
Oh, how awful! To start to belittle and scorn her husband is bad enough, but to do it outside of the home is a hundred times worse. To show no respect or kindness, is to show no love at all. Her proud heart thought his behaviour to be foolish, but it was her own foolish heart that made itself known.
I read this all and cringe. I know I have, in the past, spoken down to, or criticised and corrected my husband about things he has said. I have let him down publicly, by not showing respect and holding my tongue. Oh, how prideful our hearts can be, thinking we know best. We need to learn to let our husbands have the position they have been given, by God, and respect the decisions they make - whether they are our choice or not!
How the chapter ends, strikes deep in my heart.
"Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death."
II Samuel 6:23
Our sinfulness does not go unnoticed, or without consequences.
As a result of her lack of submission and respect towards David, she is barren until she dies. God withholds the blessing of children, as a direct result of her sin that day.
I am NOT saying that all those with no children are somehow being punished - but, there are times when God undoubtedly used this, in scripture, as a punishment.
May the Lord give us the humility to put our own feelings to one side, and encourage and respect our husbands today. To work at being the wife we should be, thinking less of ourselves and more of others. To not lose that love that we had at the beginning, but to keep the flame alight through devotion and dedication.
Caroline, What a wonderful post on Michal! Thank you for sharing with us. It is so true, isn't it? I too am guilty of criticizing my husband when I should bite my tongue. Oh, to think of the blessings God could poor out on me, on us, if we would do this as He bids.
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