Relational consequences existed even in Biblical marriages ... even with the “man after God’s own heart.” How interesting that David’s role in this rift is inconclusive.Bible Reference - 2 Samuel 6:16-23 and 1Chronicles 15:29
Story Recap -- The Israelites were finally bringing the ark back to Jerusalem. King David was so happy he danced before the Lord with the community. His wife, Michal, was watching from her window and was upset. When David returned home, Michal went out to meet him and shamed him for his public actions. David defended his actions. “And Michal, daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death” (6:23)
Reflection -
Here’s the big question here... WHY did Michal have no children? Did God vindicate David and leave her barren? Did David cease having sexual intercourse with her?
Either way, one conclusion is that there was a relational consequence to her actions. God imposed alone or “assisted by David”, their relationship did not grow further. If it was God alone, it still confirms the fact that there are inevitable, God-allowed consequences to abusive behavior... relational limitations.
My guess... I’m prone to think David’s relationship with her changed. I think, as I’ve said before, this is not directly stated because of the inappropriate generalization of this principle. This is not the typical-loving husband response to marital strife. But, God is not “cut-and-dry”. He exists multidimensional.
Why my guess, you wonder? It’s interesting it seems as though every other time women did not have children, the reason is give:
- Sarai was barren. (Gen 11:30, Heb 11:11)
- Rebekah was barren. (Gen 25:210
- Rachel was barren. (Gen 29:31)
- Wife of Zorah was barren - Samson’s mother (Judges 13:2)
- The Lord had closed Hannah’s womb - Samuel’s mother (1 Samuel 1:6)
- Elizabeth was barren - John the Baptist’s mother (Luke 1:7)
It’s also interesting to note that in each case above, and in the additional stories below, God provides a child to the childless.
- Lot’s daughters (Gen 19)
- Judah’s daughter-in-law (Gen 38)
This seems to be the only story about a woman who had no children with no reason and with no resolve. The fact that it leaves the possibility that the consequences involved David is extremely significant. It gives some credence to the fact that though they involved David, they were not a result of David’s speech but of God’s outcome for the situation... an unchanging outcome. It involved David but was God’s intention.
Relational rifts occur. At times, the damage is irrevocable. The resulting separation is not because “we are exacting justice” or acting like “judge, jury, and executioner”. It is simply the outcome to a person’s poor choices... not reflected on us but them. All this, God has allowed.
An interesting note is that this rift too was a result of mockery. (I plan to write more about this later.)
Prayer -
Lord, help us not to be judge, jury, and executioner. At the same time, help us to not live in shame and self-reproach when relationships are severed. Allow us to live fully before you. Allow us like David to say, “It was before the Lord, who chose me... “ that I responded the way I have. And, before the Lord, “I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes...” (6:21-22). Help us to live lives of sincerity before you so the mockery of others doesn’t shame us into silence nor the misunderstanding of others. Help us to bear this all for your name’s sake. We can even bear humiliation and alienation for the glory of your name. Increase this desire in our hearts so we can live blameless before you instead of bitter or emasculated before others.
