“They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known.” 24 When Saul’s servants told him what David had said,25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. 26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.” 1 Samuel 18.24-27
Many things are wrong with this story if we are looking for a healthy family. Saul was evil. Literally an evil spirit was sent upon him because his bent was to disobey and turn from the Lord. So whatever Saul does is self-motivated by sin.
David is not liked by Saul who is deeply jealous of him and trying to kill David. After refusing to accept Saul’s first daughter as his wife, David is offered a second daughter Michal. Now the first bride price for Merab was essentially nonexistent. David had to fight for Saul to earn his daughter. That was it. But Michal’s bride price was exorbitant. The price to marry Michal, who was in love with David and I am assuming was beautiful, was hundred Philistine foreskins. Craziness. (Consider how Merab felt when she heard what length David went to in order to marry Michal.)
David killed one hundred Philistines, cut off their foreskins as they were uncircumcised and brought them to Saul. Gross and bloody. David readily agrees but brings Saul two hundred instead of one hundred. He and his soldiers killed two hundred Philistines as a bride price for Michal.
The devotion of David to Michal and to the king was extraordinary. He went above and beyond what was expected of him and delivers to the king twice what he requested for the hand of his daughter.
Now I certainly don’t advocate killing but I do advocate faithfulness and commitment. David was deeply committed to marrying Michal and becoming the kings son in law even though he knew Saul hated him. David went from a sheep pen to a kings palace in a brief matter of time. With every deed David was proving himself to God as a man set a part and anointed.
What we do, our deeds and actions matter to God. Our faithfulness matters. David proved this when he not only accepted Saul’s offer but doubled the task set before him.
What is God calling you to do for him? What assignment has he given you that you can do to the best of your ability? How can you honor God with your deeds, words and actions?
Jesus was given a difficult assignment when he became the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world. He did this for you and for me. How can you give thanks today for what Jesus has done for you?
“O Lord God, I am grateful for your love for me. Thank you for your kindness and forgiveness. Even when I stray, you remain steadfast. Even when I fall, you are faithful. I praise you Lord for your plan for my life and using me for your Kingdom. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen