Saul’s children, Michal and Jonathan, both loved David. Michal helped him escape from inside the house, while Jonathan helped from outside (Shocher Tov 59:1).

Michal said: "The king of Israel uncovered himself today... as one of the worthless people reveals himself" (II Samuel 6:20). Michal said to David: "Those of my father’s house were extremely modest, whereas you stand and reveal yourself like one of the worthless ones" (Bamidbar Rabbah 4:20).

"The five sons of Michal, daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel" (II Samuel 21:8). Merab bore them, and since Michal raised them, they are called Michal’s children (Sanhedrin 19b).

Although princes and princesses of royal families are formally trained to obey the dictates of the kingdom, the pressures of that constricted existence have often, historically, led to emotional and internal strife within the courtly realm. This is as verifiable today as it was in the time of Israel’s first monarchy.

Michal may have been a first- generation "blue blood," but she acts as if her ancestors in Egypt had dined with Pharaohs instead of being employed as slaves in the construction of chic Egyptian "high-rises" along the Nile (read: "pyramids"). This contrasts to her father Saul, who was, at the outset of his vocation, a restrained, good, and humble man.

Unfortunately for Michal, Jonathan, David, and other family associates, Saul’s evolving neuroses put everything, including her filial loyalty, at risk. In addition, Michal does not properly estimate her own emotional vulnerability, particularly with regard to the young David. Her love for and loyalty to the young prince, who had no royal sophistication or training, cause her to disobey her father, and they bring her little joy and fulfillment. Although supplanting her older sister, Merab, and winning the favor of the future king, the shiddoch is more political than romantic in Saul’s eyes. Later, David reveals his own political intentions, as he "redeems" Michal from Paltiel, her first husband, in an attempt to unite the northern kingdom of Israel with the southern kingdom of Judah. It is also clear, through David’s “other” affaires of state, that Michal is not the principal passion of his life.

So...Michal suffers. But she maintains her royal dignity throughout, chastising the less than regal behavior of her husband as he dances triumphantly and vulgarly before the procession of the Ark of God into Jerusalem. Is she punished for daring to chastise the behavior of the prodigal son? The biblical text first records her infertility (II Samuel 6:23) , but later registers her as the mother of the five sons of her sister, Merab (II Samuel 21:8). Michal, princess and mother of our people.