“And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.”
Context:To better understand the significance of this verse, it’s crucial to consider the context of the passage. Prior to this verse, David had gained prominence in Israel for his bravery and success in battle against the Philistines. As a result, Saul became increasingly envious of David’s popularity, leading to various attempts to harm him.
Saul’s observation:The verse begins by stating, “And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David.” Despite Saul’s growing jealousy, he couldn’t deny the evident favour of God upon David’s life. Saul recognised that God’s presence and blessing were evident in David’s endeavours. This acknowledgment implies that Saul had an understanding of God’s involvement in David’s life and recognised David’s close relationship with the Lord.
Michal’s love for David:The verse continues by stating, “and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.” Michal, Saul’s daughter, was in love with David. This affection from Michal towards David introduces an additional layer of complexity to the relationship between Saul and David. Michal’s love for David serves as one of the reasons why Saul considered offering her as a wife to David.
Implications:The fact that Michal loved David became an opportunity for Saul to manipulate the situation. Saul saw it as a means to further ensnare David, assuming that offering his daughter in marriage to David would lead him into dangerous situations. Saul hoped that by giving Michal to David, David would become more vulnerable and fall into Philistine hands during the required dowry or bride price.
God’s sovereign plan:While this verse doesn’t explicitly reveal God’s plan, it highlights the contrast between Saul’s intentions and God’s purpose. Saul, driven by envy and malice, sought to use Michal’s love for David against him. However, God’s providence and protection were at work in David’s life, ensuring that His anointed servant would fulfil the purposes for which He had called him.
