The return of Michal had a number of motives. For one, she was David’s wife and we can assume that there was some personal connection which he sought to re-establish. After all, he did pay a very expensive price for the privilege of her hand in marriage (see 1 Samuel 18:25–27). More prominent in this passage, however, is the political connections which she had.1 Since she was the daughter of Saul, her presence at David’s side would have further legitimized his claim to the throne.2 Her return also served as a test to see if Abner was truly willing to support and help David or that he was simply engaging in talk with an ulterior motive. If Abner did bring Michal to David, he demonstrated thereby that he had turned his back on Ish-bosheth and assented to David’s rise to the throne.3
13 And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.”