Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David, and when this was reported to Saul, it pleased him. Now Saul’s daughter MichalThe mention of "Saul’s daughter Michal" introduces us to a significant character in the narrative of David's rise to kingship. Michal, as a daughter of King Saul, represents a connection to the royal family, which is crucial in the unfolding of David's story. Her name, Michal, in Hebrew (מִיכַל), can mean "who is like God?" This name may reflect her noble status and the expectations placed upon her as a member of the royal household. Historically, daughters of kings were often used in political alliances, and Michal's role will become pivotal in the relationship between David and Saul. loved David
The phrase "loved David" is significant as it highlights the personal affection Michal had for David, which is a recurring theme in David's life—being loved and admired by those around him. The Hebrew word for love used here is "אָהַב" (ahav), which denotes a deep emotional attachment and affection. This love is not merely political or strategic; it is genuine and personal. Michal's love for David sets the stage for future events, as it contrasts with Saul's growing jealousy and animosity towards David. Her love also foreshadows the complex and often tumultuous relationship she will have with David. and when this was reported to Saul
The phrase "and when this was reported to Saul" indicates the communication channels within the royal court. Information about Michal's affection for David reaches Saul, suggesting that the king is kept informed about the personal lives of his family members, which is typical in a royal setting where alliances and relationships are of political importance. This report to Saul is a turning point, as it provides him with an opportunity to use Michal's love to his advantage. It reflects the dynamics of court life, where personal relationships are often intertwined with political strategy. it pleased him
The phrase "it pleased him" reveals Saul's initial reaction to the news of Michal's love for David. The Hebrew word used here is "יָשַׁר" (yashar), which means to be right, straight, or pleasing. Saul's pleasure is not rooted in a father's joy over his daughter's affection but rather in the potential advantage he sees in this situation. Saul's pleasure is strategic; he sees an opportunity to ensnare David, whom he views as a threat to his throne. This reaction is a reflection of Saul's increasingly manipulative and paranoid nature, as he seeks to maintain his hold on power by any means necessary. Persons / Places / Events 1. MichalThe daughter of King Saul, who falls in love with David. Her affection for David plays a significant role in the unfolding events between David and Saul. 2. DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is a rising figure in Saul's court and a successful military leader. 3. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous and fearful of David's growing popularity and success. 4. Love and Political StrategyMichal's love for David is genuine, but Saul sees it as an opportunity to ensnare David, reflecting the complex interplay of personal relationships and political maneuvering. Teaching Points The Complexity of Human RelationshipsMichal's love for David illustrates how personal relationships can be intertwined with political and familial dynamics. Believers should be aware of how their relationships can be influenced by external factors and seek God's wisdom in navigating them. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite Saul's intentions, God's plan for David's rise to kingship is not thwarted. This reminds us that God's purposes prevail, even when human motives are mixed or deceitful. The Role of Love and LoyaltyMichal's actions later in the account show the power of love and loyalty. Christians are called to love genuinely and be loyal to God's purposes, even when faced with difficult choices. The Danger of Jealousy and ManipulationSaul's reaction to Michal's love for David is rooted in jealousy and manipulation. Believers should guard against these destructive emotions and seek to cultivate a heart of trust and integrity. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Michal's love for David influence the events that follow in 1 Samuel? What does this teach us about the power of love in our own lives? 2. In what ways does Saul's reaction to Michal's love for David reveal his character and his relationship with God? How can we apply this understanding to our own struggles with jealousy or fear? 3. How does the interplay between personal relationships and political strategy in this passage reflect similar dynamics in our own lives or communities? 4. What can we learn from Michal's later actions in 1 Samuel 19:11-17 about loyalty and courage? How can we apply these lessons in our own relationships? 5. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in this passage encourage us to trust in His plans, even when human motives seem to complicate matters? How can we apply this trust in our daily decisions and interactions? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 18:28-29These verses further explore Saul's reaction to Michal's love for David, revealing Saul's fear and animosity towards David. 1 Samuel 19:11-17Michal's love for David leads her to help him escape from Saul, demonstrating her loyalty and the tension between her familial and marital ties. 2 Samuel 6:16-23Michal's relationship with David later becomes strained, highlighting the complexities of their marriage and the consequences of political alliances. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Agreeable, Daughter, David, Declare, Love, Loved, Loveth, Michal, Pleased, Saul, Saul's, SightDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:20 5709 marriage, purpose 1 Samuel 18:17-21 5674 daughters 1 Samuel 18:17-25 8720 double-mindedness 1 Samuel 18:17-27 5695 girls 1 Samuel 18:17-29 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:18-27 5738 sons 1 Samuel 18:20-21 5710 marriage, customs 1 Samuel 18:20-23 5910 motives, examples 1 Samuel 18:20-27 5659 bride Library A Soul's Tragedy
'And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war; and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. 7. And the women answered one another as they played, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWar! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The Exile.
David's first years at the court of Saul in Gibeah do not appear to have produced any psalms which still survive. "The sweetest songs are those Which tell of saddest thought." It was natural, then, that a period full of novelty and of prosperous activity, very unlike the quiet days at Bethlehem, should rather accumulate materials for future use than be fruitful in actual production. The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 18:20 NIV1 Samuel 18:20 NLT1 Samuel 18:20 ESV1 Samuel 18:20 NASB1 Samuel 18:20 KJV
1 Samuel 18:20 Commentaries
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