By giving Michal in marriage to another man, Saul was disregarding the laws of the old covenant1 and treating David as if he were dead.2 He did so in order to limit any claim from David to the throne. David never divorced Michal and so he asked that she be returned to him and his house when he was negotiating with Abner to become king (2 Samuel 3:12–16).3
44 Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.