2 Samuel 3:14

KJV

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver [me] my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} to Ishbosheth {H378} Saul's {H7586} son {H1121}, saying {H559}, Deliver {H5414} me my wife {H802} Michal {H4324}, which I espoused {H781} to me for an hundred {H3967} foreskins {H6190} of the Philistines {H6430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

David sent messengers to say to Ish-Boshet the son of Sha'ul, "Give me back my wife Mikhal. I betrothed her to myself for 100 foreskins of the P'lishtim."

Berean Standard Bible

Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”

American Standard Version

And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 3:14, King David, already established in Hebron as king over Judah, sends a pivotal demand to Ishbosheth, Saul's son and the reigning king over the northern tribes of Israel. David insists on the return of his wife, Michal, Saul's daughter, explicitly reminding Ishbosheth of the extraordinary and perilous "bride price" he paid for her—a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. This seemingly personal request is, in fact, a deeply strategic political maneuver aimed at consolidating David's power and legitimizing his claim to unite all of Israel under his divinely appointed rule.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of David's ascent to the throne, following the death of Saul and his sons at Gilboa. Israel is divided, with David ruling Judah from Hebron and Ishbosheth, Saul's son, ruling the northern tribes with the support of Abner, Saul's former commander. The immediate preceding verses detail Abner's growing estrangement from Ishbosheth and his subsequent decision to negotiate with David to bring all Israel under David's kingship. David's demand for Michal's return serves as a crucial precondition for these negotiations, highlighting his authority and setting the stage for the eventual unification of the kingdom, which culminates in [2 Samuel 5:1-5](/2_samuel/5-1 "David Anointed King Over All Israel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, marriage, especially within royal families, was often a political tool. Marrying a daughter of the previous king could legitimize a new ruler's claim to the throne, providing continuity and stability. David's original marriage to Michal, Saul's daughter, was part of Saul's attempt to ensnare David, yet it also established a familial link to the royal house. The "dowry" of a hundred Philistine foreskins was a unique and gruesome demand from Saul, intended to lead to David's death ([1 Samuel 18:25](/1_samuel/18-25 "Saul's Treacherous Dowry Demand")). David's fulfillment of this demand, and indeed exceeding it, underscored his valor and divine favor, further cementing his claim to Michal and his standing as a formidable warrior. The demand in [2 Samuel 3:14](/2_samuel/3-14 "David Demands Michal's Return") reasserts this historical right in a new political landscape.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **David's Legitimacy and Claim to the Throne**. By demanding Michal, David asserts his rightful place as king over all Israel, leveraging his original, costly connection to Saul's royal house. Secondly, it highlights **Strategic Political Maneuvering** in leadership; David's request is not merely emotional but a shrewd political move designed to visibly unite the house of Saul and the house of David. Thirdly, it speaks to **The Cost of a Covenant**, reminding Ishbosheth of the immense personal risk and valor David demonstrated to earn Michal's hand, underscoring his enduring claim. Finally, it tragically reveals **Michal as a Political Pawn**, her personal feelings and history often overshadowed by her symbolic value in uniting the two kingdoms, especially given her prior marriage to Palti during David's exile ([1 Samuel 25:44](/1_samuel/25-44 "Michal Given to Palti")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Espoused (Hebrew, _'āras'_):** This verb signifies a formal betrothal or engagement, a legally binding agreement that precedes the actual marriage ceremony. It implies a covenantal commitment, making Michal David's rightful wife in the eyes of the law and custom. David's use of this term emphasizes that his claim to Michal is not merely sentimental but legally and morally established, a right that was unjustly severed by Saul.
* **Hundred foreskins (Hebrew, _mē'â ‘ārlôṯ'_):** This phrase refers to the gruesome and politically motivated "bride price" Saul demanded of David in [1 Samuel 18:25](/1_samuel/18-25 "Saul's Treacherous Dowry Demand"). While intended by Saul as a death trap for David, David not only survived but exceeded the demand, bringing two hundred foreskins ([1 Samuel 18:27](/1_l_samuel/18-27 "David Delivers the Dowry")). The mention of this specific dowry in [2 Samuel 3:14](/2_samuel/3-14 "David Demands Michal's Return") serves as a powerful reminder of David's valor, his divine protection, and his triumph over Israel's uncircumcised enemies, thereby solidifying his legitimate claim to Michal and, by extension, his fitness for kingship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying":** This opening establishes the formal and diplomatic nature of the communication. David, as king in Hebron, is initiating a crucial negotiation with Ishbosheth, the rival king in the north. The use of "messengers" indicates a deliberate, official state-level interaction rather than a personal appeal.
* **"Deliver [me] my wife Michal":** This is the core demand. David asserts his marital right to Michal, emphasizing her status as "my wife." This is not just a personal matter but a public declaration of his enduring claim to her, which carries significant political weight as she is Saul's daughter. Her return would symbolically reconnect David to the former royal house.
* **"which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines":** This clause provides the justification and weight behind David's demand. By recalling the extraordinary and perilous "bride price," David reminds Ishbosheth—and implicitly, all of Israel—of the immense personal cost and valor David demonstrated to secure Michal's hand. It underscores the undeniable legitimacy of his claim, not just to Michal, but to the royal lineage and, ultimately, to the throne of all Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. There is profound **Irony** in David's demand, as Saul's original intention for the "hundred foreskins" was to ensure David's death; yet, David's successful fulfillment of this deadly dowry now serves as the very basis for his legitimate claim to Michal and, by extension, strengthens his position for the unified throne. **Symbolism** is also at play: Michal herself becomes a **symbol** of the fractured kingdom, and her return to David represents the potential for **unity** between the house of Saul and the house of David. The "hundred foreskins" are a powerful **symbol** of David's military prowess, his divine favor, and his triumph over Israel's enemies, further legitimizing his claim to both Michal and the kingship. Furthermore, this demand serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the eventual unification of Israel under David's sole reign, as reclaiming Michal removes a key obstacle and solidifies his connection to the former royal lineage, paving the way for his undisputed rule.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's demand for Michal's return, though deeply embedded in political maneuvering, resonates with profound theological themes. It underscores the concept of divine election and the unfolding of God's covenantal plan for David. While David strategically asserts his rights and leverages his past actions, these very actions align with God's overarching purpose to establish David as the undisputed king over all Israel. God often works through human agency and even complex political landscapes to bring about His sovereign will. David's insistence on his rightful claim, based on a costly covenant, mirrors God's faithfulness to His own covenants, even when circumstances seem to obscure their fulfillment. This episode reminds us that even in the messy realities of human power dynamics, God's hand is at work, orchestrating events to bring His chosen leader to the throne and fulfill His promises.

* [1 Samuel 18:25](/1_samuel/18-25 "Saul's Treacherous Dowry Demand for Michal")
* [1 Samuel 25:44](/1_samuel/25-44 "Michal Given to Palti During David's Exile")
* [2 Samuel 5:3](/2_samuel/5-3 "The Elders Anoint David King Over All Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers a compelling look into the complexities of leadership, even for those chosen by God. David's demand for Michal is a stark reminder that personal relationships and political realities are often intertwined, requiring strategic wisdom and a firm grasp of one's legitimate claims. For us, it highlights the importance of honoring commitments, even when circumstances make them difficult or costly. David's past sacrifice for Michal forms the undeniable basis for his present demand, illustrating that our integrity and faithfulness in past covenants can establish the foundation for future blessings and rightful claims. Furthermore, the narrative reveals how God can use human political maneuvering and the assertion of personal rights to advance His broader, redemptive purposes. It challenges us to consider how we navigate our own spheres of influence, balancing personal desires with the greater good, and trusting that God can orchestrate even complex situations for His glory and the fulfillment of His plans.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our past commitments, especially those made at a significant personal cost, shape our present responsibilities and claims?**
* **In what ways might God use seemingly political or personal actions to advance His broader kingdom purposes in our lives or communities?**
* **How can we, like David, assert what is rightfully ours while maintaining a focus on God's ultimate will and the welfare of others?**

### FAQ
**Why was Michal's return so important to David at this specific time?**

Answer: Michal's return was crucial for several interwoven reasons, both personal and profoundly political. Personally, she was David's first wife, acquired through a perilous and costly act of valor ([1 Samuel 18:27](/1_samuel/18-27 "David Delivers the Dowry for Michal")), establishing a deep-rooted claim. Politically, Michal was Saul's daughter, a princess of the former ruling house. Her presence by David's side would symbolically and practically link David to the legitimate royal lineage of Saul, thereby strengthening his claim to the throne over all Israel. It served as a visible sign of continuity and unity, essential for smoothing the transition of power from the house of Saul to the house of David and legitimizing David's rule in the eyes of the northern tribes still loyal to Ishbosheth.

**What was the significance of the "hundred foreskins" mentioned by David?**

Answer: The "hundred foreskins of the Philistines" refers to the unusual and gruesome dowry Saul demanded of David for Michal's hand, as recorded in [1 Samuel 18:25](/1_samuel/18-25 "Saul's Treacherous Dowry Demand"). Saul's true intention was for David to be killed by the Philistines in the attempt, thus eliminating a perceived rival. However, David not only survived but exceeded the demand, bringing 200 foreskins ([1 Samuel 18:27](/1_samuel/18-27 "David Delivers the Dowry")). In [2 Samuel 3:14](/2_samuel/3-14 "David Demands Michal's Return"), David reminds Ishbosheth of this extraordinary "dowry" to underscore his undeniable, hard-won claim to Michal. It served as a powerful testament to David's valor, his divine protection, and his triumph over Israel's enemies, thereby legitimizing his claim to Michal and, by extension, his suitability for the throne.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's costly acquisition of Michal and his subsequent demand for her return finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David, as the divinely chosen king, represents a type of Christ, who also comes to establish His kingdom and reclaim His bride. Just as David paid an extraordinary and perilous "dowry" for Michal, foreshadowing a costly acquisition, so Christ paid the ultimate, infinitely costly price—His own life and blood—to redeem His bride, the Church ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Christ's Love for the Church")). The "hundred foreskins" represented David's victory over the enemies of Israel; Christ's sacrifice on the cross represents His decisive victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Christ's Blood as Redemption")). Through this unparalleled act of love and power, Christ reclaims His people, not as political pawns, but as beloved members of His body, eagerly awaiting the glorious [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"), where He will reign eternally with His redeemed bride.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 18:27

Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

1 Samuel 18:25

And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

2 Samuel 2:10

Ishbosheth Saul's son [was] forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.