Paltiel

Paltiel (meaning: deliverance of God) is the name of two distinct individuals in Scripture. The first was a prince of the tribe of Issachar who assisted Moses and Eleazar in apportioning the land of Canaan among the tribes (Numbers 34:26). He served as one of the official representatives chosen to oversee the fair distribution of the promised land.

The second and more prominent Paltiel was the son of Laish from Gallim, to whom King Saul gave his daughter Michal — originally David's wife — after David's flight from Saul's court (1 Samuel 25:44; also called Palti). When David was restored to power and demanded Michal's return, Paltiel followed her weeping all the way to Bahurim before being ordered back by Abner (2 Samuel 3:15–16). This brief but poignant scene is one of the most humanly touching episodes in the David narrative.