2 Samuel 6:23
ESV
And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
NIV
And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
NASB
And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
CSB
And Saul’s daughter Michal had no child to the day of her death.
NLT
So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.
KJV
Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
NKJV
Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
What does 2 Samuel 6:23 mean?
Michal is David's first wife. She fell in love with him early. Her father, King Saul, used her love to try to lure David into fighting the Philistines, hoping David would die in battle. That plan failed, and Saul's hatred and fear of David grew (1 Samuel 18:20–28). At one point, when Saul was set on killing David, Michal sent him away and created a decoy in his bed. By the time Saul's guards discovered Michal's trick, David was safely away (1 Samuel 19:11–17).David and Michal didn't see each other again for many years. Saul gave Michal to another man who loved her dearly. Shortly before David became king of all Israel, he demanded Michal be returned (1 Samuel 25:44; 2 Samuel 3:14–16). A man who has the king's wife or concubine is a threat to the throne. By then, David had six other wives and six sons (2 Samuel 3:2–5).
In Jerusalem, David brought the ark of the covenant into the city and danced in celebration, wearing a linen ephod. Michal is disgusted with David's lack of propriety. David is angry with Michal's inability to recognize true worship. He jabs, reminding her that God chose him to rule, not her brothers. He is king, and he will continue to degrade himself in worship if he chooses (2 Samuel 6:16, 20–22).
Michal had spent at least some time with David early in their marriage. She lived with her second husband for years. It's possible she's been back with David for decades. But she's never had a child and she never will. Scripture doesn't give an explicit reason for her infertility. We don't know why she was barren before or why it continues. Some think God is judging her. Others believe David never had sex with her again. Others interpret her fate as natural fertility problems.
It's also possible that God prevented Michal from bearing a son with lineage from both Saul and David. Such a bloodline could challenge David's throne with broad support. David will eventually have nineteen sons by his various wives (1 Chronicles 3:1–8). Only one of his wives is Saul's daughter, but God picks Solomon, Bathsheba's son, to become king.
This incident is the last mention (1 Chronicles 15:29) of Michal in the Bible.
