1 Samuel 18:20-30
20 Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. When they informed Saul, the thing was pleasing to him.
21 For Saul thought, “I will give her to him so that she may become a trap for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David, “For a second time you may become my son-in-law, today.”
22 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in secret, saying, ‘Behold, the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now then, become the king’s son-in-law.’”
23 So Saul’s servants spoke these words to David. But David said, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am only a poor man and insignificant?”
24 Then Saul’s servants reported to him, saying, “These are the words David spoke.”
25 Saul then said, “This is what you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’ ” But Saul plotted to have David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
26 When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the time had expired,
27 David set out and went, he and his men, and fatally struck two hundred men among the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they presented all two hundred of them to the king, so that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife.
28 When Saul saw and realized that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him,
29 then Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.
30 Then the commanders of the Philistines went to battle, and it happened as often as they went out, that David was more successful than all the servants of Saul. So his name was held in high esteem.
Marriage with Michal
Bridal price
Saul’s other daughter, Michal, loved David. Knowing this, Saul planned to use Michal as a means to kill David. (1) This time, he commanded his servants to deliver the proposal to David. He probably assumed that David would not believe him if he spoke directly to him. (2) When the servants spoke to David, asking him to “become the king’s son-in-law,” David politely declined. His reasons were that he is unable to pay the bridal price for his poor financial status and that he is of a low social standing. (3) Upon hearing the report from his servants, Saul sent another message to David saying, “No bridal price is required. Instead, present the king with a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” In other words, Saul was asking for military victories instead of money as the bridal price, thinking that it is impossible for David to defeat a hundred Philistines. (4) However, David, before the deadline, went out with his men and brought back twice the number of requested foreskins and presented them to Saul. (5) Reluctantly, Saul gave Michal to David as his wife.
Saul’s fear
Through this event, Saul grew even more fearful of David. (1) He saw that his daughter Michal loved David, and she had completely sided with David, moving away from Saul. (2) Furthermore, it became even clearer that the Lord was with David. A principle that can be seen in David’s life is that a person will not die until God’s plan for the person is fulfilled. David had been given a prophecy to become the king of Israel. Until that prophecy is fulfilled, it’s impossible for David to die. Every Christian is given a mission and a plan from God. We may not have a clear prophecy about God’s plan for us like David did, but there certainly is a mission. And until it is accomplished, we will not die. Let’s go out into the world again today, delighting in the Lord’s hands.
Today's prayer
Almighty God, my life is in Your hands. Today, my heart is filled with peace. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.