David and his first wife ... Michal

In the book, ‘After the Apple’, Rosenblatt provides a commentary on specific incidents and provides humanity to the story from the perspective of contemporary psychology.

For example, in the book of Samuel, we read about young David and his exploits. We learn of King Saul and his jealousy. We learn about David given in marriage to Michal, daughter of King Saul. Finally, we learn of the failed marital relationship between Michal and David. Apart from the struggle between King Saul and David, the marriage of Michal and David is more than a corollary.

Rosenblatt uses this piece of the story to illustrate a point about our understanding of marriage and divorce today.

“ … An important predictor of modern-day divorce is not whether you argue with your spouse but rather how you argue, and how the argument comes to an end. One of the first things to go in a marriage is civility. Verbal abuse, name-calling (also know as verbal sadism), and character assassination are demeaning and humiliating; they destroy self-esteem and human dignity…” (Page 148). Compare with the biblical text – 2 Samuel 6:16-23.