Princess Mychal: A Different Narrative

L-R: David and Michal (1865) by Virginio Grana/
costume sketches for Indy Lewis as Princess Mychal for House of David

I'm still loving House of David right now (they just started filming season 3 in Greece!). I've already rewatched it twice and may do another one. While everything about the show is just standout beautiful and breathtaking, my real delight was in the writing of its characters. And the character that impressed me the most was Princess Mychal. 

For most people, Princess Mychal in the Bible is famous for two reasons.

1. Marrying David and helping him escape her father.

2. Her anger toward David as he was dancing for the Lord, which caused God to punish her with barrenness.

And most people usually associate her with her sin toward her husband and God, therefore, oftentimes writing Mychal as hateful, bitter and jealous. However, House of David changed that narrative and gave the story a strong, but fragile heroine, who must choose between the God she serves, the family she stands with and the young man she loves.

Family 👑

When we are first introduced to Princess Mychal, she's a bubbly, kind-hearted girl who is utterly devoted to her family, especially her father. However, beneath her charming personality, Mychal's faith is deeply sensitive to any element of evil that comes in her presence. Although Mychal is the younger of Saul's two daughters, and the youngest of his four children, she is clearly more popular and well-loved than her stubborn, feisty older sister Merab. 

While it's clear that the two sisters love each other, Mychal's effortless sweetness and unquestionable obedience outshines Merab frequently. She's the perfect princess who always does what she's told, never questions anybody, never puts a foot out of line. Every man falls in love with her and meanwhile, Merab is left in her younger sister's shadow.

Even Merab admits that her sister is a wonderful person, but living in the shadow of a sibling (especially a younger one) can leave one cold, alone and eventually bitter. For Mychal, she would rather be left alone to write and teach. She hates the spotlight and the expectations put on her. However, her devotion to her father is second to none. And when his attacks start to have detrimental consequences, Mychal takes a leap of faith and call on the most unlikely person imaginable.

A shepherd boy, who is also a talented musician; and whose music moved Mychal's heart when they first met and hopes that it will heal her father's soul.

David 🐑

Mychal suggesting David, an unknown and unimportant shepherd from Bethlehem, to play his stirring music for her father, may have been a longshot, but it hit its mark. And there may have been some self-interest on her part on wanting to see him again. 

And this is where's Mychal's unexpected rebellion starts to come through. 

• When she finds out that David is illiterate, she secretly teaches him how to read, bringing them closer together, despite the palace trying to keep them apart. 

• Saul is taken ill on the battlefield of Elah, Mychal defies her mother and rides out (with Merab) to tend to him, ultimately saving him.

• David answers Goliath's challenge, Mychal supports him and gifts him with Joshua's famous verse, "Be strong and Courageous." (and then they kiss 😍)

• Saul's camp is attacked, Mychal takes the initiative to leave, eventually fighting and killing several soldiers. 

Mychal's love for both her father and David challenges her and pushes her to be more than a perfect princess. When all is settled, Saul makes good on his promise that whoever his champion that defeats Goliath is will marry his daughter. To Merab, not Mychal.

When Merab gets some terrible advice from a truly terrible person, she breaks her sister's heart and goes to her father insisting that she marry David instead. And surprisingly enough, Saul agrees. Even with Mychal being his favorite, even though he and everyone in the palace knew of David and Mychal's love for each other. Saul tears them apart without a second thought. Needless to say, they are both gutted by this and in spite of their best efforts, neither of them can change his mind. 

Now one would think that Mychal will spend the rest of the show miserable and pinning for David, however, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was not the case. While she is angry and heartbroken for Merab's betrayal, Mychal still retains her grace and dignity.

She tells David that they cannot be together. That she will not fight her father and this has to happen for a reason. That she will not blame God. She refuses to be angry at the rest of her family and the people around her. Even though she's hurting she puts a smile on her face and shows quiet support for David and Merab.

Mychal takes her heartache and throws herself into finding happiness for other people. She plays matchmaker for her brother, Jonathan. She teaches children how to read and write. She continues her close relationship with her father. She does not allow herself to become hateful.

Mychal's mature handling of her separation from David really set her apart from most female characters. Usually, they cry, whine and make everyone miserable. And you would thing with Mychal being a princess and her father's favorite that would be the case. But it was the opposite. I loved how the writers chose this as a moment to highlight growth and maturity and to not always think of oneself especially when we don't get what we want. 

And it's Mychal's quiet strength that only emboldens David to fight that much harder for her. To go out and slay 200 Philistines (they also had...that scene...the proof scene). And eventually he wins her back. And they are finally married, but as usual, they are separate once again by her family. In the Bible, David and Mychal are finally reunited when David assumes the throne, but after years apart the love has died and as most people know, Mychal is punished for her pride.

To be honest, I don't know how they're going to handle Mychal's character in season 3, which is also the final season. She's been our faithful storyteller and noble heroine for the last two years. She's been a shining example of faith during times of trial, of loyalty to her family and waiting on God's perfect time. House of David redeemed a lot of people's view of Mychal and made her a multidimensional young woman, with fears, doubts, hopes and dreams. I'm hoping we can still see a remnant of that same girl when the story ends.