In ‘House of David,’ the relationship between the titular character and his beloved, the Princess of Israel, remains a complicated affair from day one. However, season 2 brings a whole new world of challenges for the young couple. After defeating Goliath, David becomes King Saul’s champion, earning a spot for himself in his house. More importantly, as a part of his reward for the slaying of the giant, the shepherd has earned the hand in marriage to the ruler’s daughter. However, despite the fact that he and Princess Mychal are already in love, Saul ends up arranging a different union, one between David and Mirab, the eldest daughter. Naturally, this creates much friction, both between the two sisters and their respective dynamics with the Giant Slayer. Furthermore, it plunges the latter’s love story with Mychal further into doubt. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Mirab Seeks Out a Betrothal to David
Initially, in the aftermath of the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, both princesses manage to return to their families safe and sound. This is largely in thanks to the combat wherewithal of the younger sister, Mychal, who saves her sister by killing an enemy soldier. Once the dust settles and the time comes for Saul to fulfill his promises to the Giant Slayer, the upcoming union between David and Mychal seems like a forgone conclusion. After all, the King had promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to whoever defeated Goliath, and it just so happens that his youngest daughter is already in love with the slayer. However, before any official decisions are made, a pivotal conversation takes place between Mirab and the Eshbaal.
Recently, Mirab’s possible betrothal to Jordan was broken. This compels the Princess to contemplate the future she could’ve had as a wife to a decent man. Even though she never loved the other, she feels stuck in her current station and would have welcomed the instrumental change in her life. However, now that she has been robbed of it, she falls back on self-deprecating humor to mask the hurt she feels over it. As a result, Eshball, who has yet undisclosed motives of his own, ends up encouraging his sister to go after what she wants and deem herself worthy of having it. Whether intentionally or not, this compels her to seek an audience with her father and convince him to offer her hand in marriage to David rather than Mychal’s.
David Fights For His Love For Mychal
Initially, when Saul makes the decision to announce Mirab’s engagement to David, it renders Mychal heartbroken, especially once she realizes it’s all a plot of her sister’s design. This strikes an early rivalry between the sisters. Likewise, David remains troubled by the notion of marrying the sister of the woman he truly loves. Nonetheless, after Saul refuses to hear any arguments to change his mind, Mychal decides to accept his decision. She still holds a deep grudge for Mirab, whose trespass she deems to be unforgivable. Yet, in an effort to comply with her father’s wishes and put her family first, she gives up any hope of being with her beloved and encourages him to do the same. Still, the latter refuses to give up on their love.
At first, David bides his time by convincing Saul to give him some time to be prepared for the marriage. However, eventually, he goes on to stand his ground and refuses to marry Mirab when no love exists between the pair. This poses a peculiar problem since it would be a public affront if the shepherd declines the ruler’s charitable invitation to join his family. Therefore, Queen Ahinoam comes up with a unique solution. She advises Saul to offer Mychal’s hand in marriage to David, but on an impossible condition. Thus, the ruler commands the other man with the mission of destroying the Forge at Gath and bringing him the foreskins of a hundred Philistines to earn a betrothal to his youngest daughter.
However, what David doesn’t know is that Saul wants him to fail in this mission. Even though he is fond of the Shepherd, he agrees with the Queen in her evaluation that his power could be a threat to his rule if he continues to remain insolent. For the same reason, when Saul sends David and his men on the secret mission, he simultaneously alerts King Achish of Gath about the attack. This way, the Israelite King gets to get rid of David without implicating himself in the matter. Fortunately, Joab catches onto the strange mission delegation in time to warn Prince Jonathan of possible foul play. As a result, even after David and the others are ambushed by the enemy, they manage to return with their lives with the help of Jonathan’s reinforcements.
Tragedy Strikes on the Night of David and Mychal’s Wedding
Once David completes King Saul’s near-impossible mission, the latter has no choice but to make good on his promise. Therefore, the shepherd is betrothed to Princess Mychal, and the two go on to tie the knot. Even though the House of Saul faces a tumultuous time, particularly due to Queen Ahinoam’s banishment, the wedding ceremony is completed with fanfare and happiness. However, as the couple retires in the town together for the night, a storm brews on the horizon. Eshbaal learns about David’s anointment as the Lord God’s chosen King and swiftly shares the message with his father.
Within minutes, David is summoned from his newlywed quarters and finds himself embroiled in a violent confrontation with Saul. As he manages to escape from the palace, Mychal remains his first stop. However, once his wife learns the reason behind his need to escape the kingdom, she can’t help but feel equally deceived. David’s decision to keep the truth about his anointment a secret from her for years breaks her trust in a way that cannot be repaired in moments. Therefore, while she helps him escape from the guards on his tail, she refuses to run away with him. In the end, the duo finds themselves farther from each other than ever despite their recent marriage.
Read More: House of David Episode 1, 2, and 3 Recap: The Beginnings of David
