In 2 Samuel 6, there are three references to Michal (2 Samuel 6:16, 2 Samuel 6:20, 2 Samuel 6:23). On each occasion, she is described as the daughter of Saul (as opposed to the wife of David, 1 Samuel 19:11; 1 Samuel 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:14). This suggests that she represents and continues the unjustified animosity of Saul toward David.1 There are two possible reasons for her displeasure. For one, she could be upset that David was dancing and behaving in a manner that she considered to be inappropriate for a king (see 2 Samuel 6:20). She thought that a king must not behave or associate with servants;2 Saul would have done better.3 Alternatively, the fact that David brought the ark into Jerusalem when her father Saul never brought it to Gibeah is evidence that the Lord preferred David over Saul. In this case she was upset that David enjoyed a privilege which never came to her father.4
16 As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.