David Marries Michael - Saul’s Sister

There is a story told of the one-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, flying to one of his engagements. Ali’s name has never been synonymous with humility, and thus whether this story is fact or fiction, the notoriously yet affectionately branded “Lou … More

Pride

When Saul realized that he could not destroy David personally, he was determined to let the Philistines kill him. His scheme was that he would give his oldest daughter to marry David (v. 17). However, before he was able to pull this off, she married another man (vv. 18-19). Then Saul found out that his second daughter, Michal, loved David (vv. 20-22). This pleased him; not from any favor to David, but he saw that it would be turned to the advancement of his malicious purposes (vv. 23-24). So Saul said David could have her for 100 Philistine foreskins (v. 25).  He thought that in the process he would be killed. However, instead David killed 200 and brought back their foreskins (vv. 26-27). The number was doubled, partly to show his respect and attachment to the princess, and partly to oblige Saul to the fulfilment of his pledge.

David marries Michal and becomes Saul’s son-in-law (v. 28). David perhaps hoped that by becoming the king’s son-in-law their former relationship would be restored. He had hoped his marriage to Michal would heal the breach, but instead Saul became David’s enemy continually (v. 29). The commanders of the Philistines came out to battle; and as often as they came out, David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his fame became very great (v. 30). Through all these experiences, the scripture says that David behaved himself wisely. David continues to protect and comfort Saul in spite of the way Saul treats him. Although he was the object of the king’s unmerited hatred, the victim of his unrelenting plots, and the one on whom the king projected his unbridled fears and ungoverned fury, David continued to remain steadfast in allegiance to the king. He exerted every effort to demonstrate his faithfulness to Saul.

Application

Have I ever been in a situation where people have been jealous of my accomplishments and have attacked me? If so, what was my reaction?  It is so easy to strike back, but a better way to respond is to befriend those who speak evil against me (Matt. 5:43,44).

I Samuel 18:17-30 (English Standard Version)


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