The King’s Daughter Loves David
King Saul’s younger daughter is Michal. She loves David.
David plays a critical role in the success of King Saul and the nation of Israel. The king should be grateful, yet Saul’s attitude toward David vacillates, with Saul often wanting to kill David out of jealousy.
When Saul learns that Michal loves David, the king hatches a plan to use her to bring about David’s downfall. For a dowry, Saul requests proof that David has killed one hundred Philistines.
Saul assumes David will die trying. Instead, David succeeds and presents evidence he’s killed twice as many.
David and Michal marry.
When Michal learns of her father’s latest plan to kill David, she helps her husband escape and covers for him. But when her father confronts her, she lies and says that David forced her to help him get away.
Later, when David flees for his life, Saul gives Michal to another man. Eventually, David arranges for Michal’s return.
After David ascends to power, he brings the ark of the Lord back, celebrating wildly in praise to God. Michal criticizes his excessive public display of worship and despises him for his actions. Though she once loved him, she no longer does.
We can only guess why. Did his passionate celebratory dance repel her? Perhaps she gave her heart to her second husband. Or maybe it was because David married other women.
Regardless, Michal never has any children. Might David have rejected her because of her disapproval of his exuberant dance? Or maybe God punished her for criticizing David’s passionate worship.
In any regard, her critical spirit is not attractive. Having a critical spirit never is.
When have we had a critical spirit?
What should we do about it?
[Read about Michal in 1 Samuel 18:20–29 and 2 Samuel 6:16–23. Discover more in 1 Samuel 19:11–17 and 1 Samuel 25:44.]
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More Old Testament Sinners and Saints is part of the Bible Character Sketches series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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