“Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord.” For Saul said to himself, “I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” 18 But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 19 So[b] when the time came for Merab, Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. 20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” 22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” 1 Samuel 18.17-22
Saul was evil. We just read how God sent an evil spirit upon Saul. And this wasn’t just God’s doing, Saul opened his heart to evil by many acts against the Lord and now was only reaping the results of those actions.
Saul was conspiring against David and using his daughters to do it. Can you imagine a father using his daughters in this way? To get back at an enemy by offering their hand in marriage? What father would do this? Apparently Saul would.
But David at this point knew the king was not favorable to him. He saw through Saul’s disguise. Even when Saul offers his daughter Merab, David declines saying, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” David’s words were noble, wise and pure.
Yet Saul was persistent and after Merab was married to another, he offered his other daughter Michal to David. Now we read how she was in love with David which Saul used to his benefit. Saul said, “I will give her to him so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.”
David had such an immediate rise to fame and fortune. His secret anointing by Samuel catapulted him to the defeat of Goliath and now placed him in the house of the king and to become the future son in law of the king of Israel. This was no small matter. But even while God was leading and working in David’s life, evil was right there beside him.
Isn’t it the same with us? Doesn’t Paul warn us in Ephesians 6 that “our battle is not against flesh and blood?” Isn’t the enemy, the devil, like a prowling lion seeking whom to destroy? I have seen so many godly people fall because of the snares of the devil. He is cunning and evil but not the victor. Christ has the victory through God and those who trust in the Lord have the ultimate win.
David was surrounded by a king who wanted to take his life in some subtle and not so subtle ways as we will see as we continue to read 1 Samuel. But the Lord will fight our battles for us. He is our strength and our shield, he is our waymaker and our Savior.
Let’s turn to the Lord, reject evil and place our hope in his hands this day.
“O Lord God, you are good. I am so blessed to be in ministry for you, to serve your name and bring glory to your kingdom. Come now, Holy Spirit, fall upon your servant. Help me know the truth of your love and the power of your grace. I praise your name and honor you as my King. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen