33 David’s First Marriage

While Saul had previously outwardly attempted to kill David, now he switched his tactics to a far-more under-handed way of dealing with David.

1 An Unusual Trap

The combination of Saul’s personal jealousies, and being tormented by evil spirits caused him to devise his plot against David:

1 Samuel 18:17-19

Saul had promised to give his daughter in marriage to the man who had killed Goliath, but as seen in this passage, his motive was clear, in that he wanted to find a way to destroy David:

1 Samuel 18:17c

In the culture of that day, a prospective groom was expected to pay a dowry to his soon-to-be bride’s family. As the daughter of a king, it would be expected that David would pay a substantial dowry. However, because David and his family were poor, they certainly wouldn’t have been able to provide the expected dowry.

While Saul was obviously deceitful, David showed his humility and grace. He didn’t see himself as anything special, even though he’d already been anointed as the next king.

Saul was angered and insulted by David’s response, and therefore he withdrew the offer, and gave his daughter Merab to someone else in marriage.

It seems that Saul was hopeful that David would turn against him, and thus commit an act of treason, for which he could be executed.

2 Saul’s Plans Revised

Even though the marriage to Merab did not happen, Saul was able revise his plan, while still appearing to be clear of any involvement:

1 Samuel 18:20-25

When Saul learned that his youngest daughter Michal was in love with David, he then saw the opportunity to enact his plan once again, this time using her to entrap David.

Even though Michal was attracted to David, it was not because of his relationship with the Lord, but was clearly based on what she saw of him physically, his status and what she perceived as his new power.

Saul also knew Michal’s character, and in his mind, he hoped that she would eventually “be a snare to him” so that he would fall into the hands of the Philistines.

The king then had some of his servants advise David, that Saul was pleased with him, and still wanted to have him as son-in-law, only now by marrying Michal.

Once again, David responded that he was unworthy of such an honor and included that he was “poor”. It was David’s way of showing that he was unable to pay a suitable dowry for the king’s daughter.

Saul’s servants advised David of Saul’s dowry demands, that what the king wanted was David to bring back the foreskins of one hundred Philistines, which of course would mean that David’s life would be in danger from the Philistines, which was Saul’s desire all along.

3 Unsuspecting but Victorious

David was unaware of both Saul’s plans and the fact that Michal was being used to entrap him:

1 Samuel 18:26-30

The fact that David was pleased when he heard the words spoken by Saul’s servants, shows his sincere and humble heart.

Rather than objecting to the fact that his life was in danger, David simply gathered his troops and went about the mission to fulfill Saul’s dangerous demands.

David was a great example of how believers are to respect and submit to those who have authority over us:

Romans 13:1

While Saul had demanded the foreskins of one hundred Philistines, David and his men killed twice as many of the enemy, therefore more than satisfying the dowry demands.

Once David presented Saul with the foreskins, the king fulfilled his word, and gave Michal to David to be his wife.

It was also at that point, when Saul came to understand that the Lord was truly with David, although that still didn’t change his mind about wanted to see David brought down. Yet, the king “feared” David.

The chapter concludes by showing how the various battles between Israel and the Philistines continued, and how David conducted himself more wisely than any of Saul’s other men, which caused him to be highly esteemed of the people.

This showed how the Lord was continuing to establish David in the hearts of the people he would one day rule over.