Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 6:23

"And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death." — 2 Samuel 6:23 (ASV)

Had no child. —The most severe deprivation for a woman in that ancient Near Eastern culture. It is quite possible that during Michal’s long separation from David, while he was an outlaw, and she was married to Phaltiel (who was deeply attached to her, 2 Samuel 3:16), they had become somewhat alienated from each other; and when the completely different spirit that characterized each of them became apparent on this occasion, David determined to have no further relations with her.