David and Mical: The Problem of Getting Back With Your ExSample

THE PROBLEM OF GETTING BACK WITH YOUR EX - PART 1

"Furthermore, David sent messengers to say to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, "Give me back my wife Mical, for whom I gave a hundred Philistine foreskins" (2 Samuel 3:14 NIV).

One of the most pathetic scenes in the Bible is that of a man weeping for his wife as she was carried to her new husband's house. He, unfortunately, had no choice but tears. The new king wanted his ex back, and no one could stop him.

The victim was Paltiel, son of Laish, who had married Mical at the time David was fleeing from Saul. David, now threatened by Ishbosheth and her retinue, sought Mical to provide some succession legitimacy to his recent coronation, while also representing the unity of the kingdom of Israel. In short, David sent for Mical for diplomatic reasons rather than his love for her.

Although David's story with Bathsheba and how that relationship destroyed a marriage is well known, it was not the first time that David separated a couple for selfish reasons. Mical and Paltiel separated for a political issue because for the king it was more important to protect his skin than to preserve the integrity of a family.

Many young people today go through life leaving behind as many broken hearts as David did. When someone with whom we had romantic feelings commits to a new relationship, we must put that history behind us, no matter how romantic or intense it may have been. When nostalgia leads us to unearth memories in the heart of someone who shared feelings with us, our irresponsibility hurts innocent people who have invested everything they are in a loving relationship.

The Bible warns that God is aware of our sentimental relationships and that he observes our behavior in this regard. "Why get involved, my son, with someone else's woman? Why throw yourself into the arms of a stranger? The Lord is aware of the conduct of man; he does not lose sight of any of his steps" (Proverbs 5:20-21 DHHED).

Decide on this day to maintain pure relationships, respect the limits of marriage, and flee from sexual impurity. Don't play with people's feelings and learn to break the cycle. And remember: if God wants you to get back with your ex, it won't be at the price of destroying another person.

Lessons on the side:

• In the case of David and Mical, the monarch could be resorting to internationally known legislation that stipulated the following: "A man thrown out of his house by force can sue his wife when he returns. He would retain the right of the husband even if the woman remarried and had children." This legislation (or a similar one) has been found in the Hammurabi, Esuna, and Intermediate Assyrian laws.
• Despite the previous point, when we analyze David's motivations we will see that his attitude seems to show that he was looking for a legal loophole that would help him legitimize his kingdom by marrying the daughter of the dead king.
• Beware of seeking secular legal footing when you are trying to get saved from God's law that you have broken. Justifying yourself behind civil legislation will not exempt you from appearing before the judgment seat of Christ, the final court of the universe (2 Corinthians 5:10).

- Pr. Neilyn Solís.