Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father’s clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” But at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife. Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king’s son-in-law.’ ” And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?” And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.” Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.’ ” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually. (1 Samuel 18:17–29)
Saul had a plan to get rid of David so lured him in this odd way, by an appeal to make him part of his family. He used David’s desire to destroy Israel’s enemies as part of the plan but didn’t consider the will of God and his plan backfired.
Good writers have used similar plots in stories involving crime, passion, and jealousy. All this reminds me of the pastor who said, “We can freely make choices but we cannot choose the consequences. They might be what was wanted, but when deviously made and against the will of God, surprises will surely come.
David eventually took the place of king, and later his wise son wrote these words. Did he know this truth because of his father’s experiences with Saul?
Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (Proverbs 1:29–33)How many examples God gives of foolishness and unwise decisions, yet how often are they ignored in an effort to prove we know what we are doing?
Jesus, I’m thankful for the therefore passages that instruct me to pay attention to what You say rather than think my way is wiser, and thankful for Your true evaluation of my sinfulness. And I’m also grateful for Your patience that puts up with my stubborn insistence to do things without first checking them out with you, or to do them well without giving You the glory.