Michal

Such is the case with our character, Michal. The story of David and Michal fully illustrates the points we’ve been discussing. Although Saul was Israel’s first king, his relationship, use and abuse of his youngest daughter Michael shows that he fully understood the political use of women. Sadly, our text will show that David too fully understood this.

Historical Background:

The setting for our story of Michal begins soon after Saul’s resentment for David has been solidified. Saul had become insanely jealous of David’s popularity and military success (cf. 1 Sam. 18: 6-9). This jealously soon consumed Saul, to the point that he even used his own daughters in a scheme to destroy David.

Michal fell in love with David as a young girl. After all, David was a national hero, one who defeated the great Philistine giant. It’s easy to see how the heart of a young girl could be captured by this dashing military man. Saul hoped to use her love to get rid of David. The plot will fail, and Michal will be allowed to marry David, the man of her dreams. For her, this might appear to be a dream come true, the beginning of a new life full of joy, happiness and great success. This simply wouldn’t be the case. On the contrary, her love for David will thrust her into even more complicated political issues. Michal will prove to be a victim. Ironically, the men who will use, abuse and eventually discard her are the very men in whom she should have been most able to trust — her father and her husband! Let’s study her story:

A Young Girls Dream Comes True (1 Sam. 18:17-27):

Vs. 17: Here is my older daughter Merab…

When Goliath, the great warrior for the Philistines, was terrifying Israel, Saul promised to enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel (free from public taxes and public service — 1 Sam. 17:25). From our verse 17, it would appear Saul was about to make good on his commitment; however, it’s clear Saul’s motivation was driven by his jealously not honor. Saul hoped a married David would become distracted in battle, making a mistake which would cost him his life.

Vs. 18-19: Who am I… she was given to Adriel…

David, as usual was very humble and submissive. Although the right to marry Merab had been earned, David acknowledges his pauper heritage. Of course, politically, a daughter of the king was too valuable to waste on a nobody like David, thus Saul married her to a man named Adriel. It’s pretty obvious why Saul reneged, not giving Merab’s hand to David. He more than likely realized that there was no love between the two and his scheme to distract David, leading him to take foolish risks in battle, would have little chance of success. Moreover, there was nothing to gain politically by marrying her to David. As for Adriel, well, your guess is as good as mine. The text just doesn’t reveal this information to us. I think is safe to say Saul gained something in this exchange.

Note: It is the five sons born to this union (Adriel and Merab) along with the two sons of Rizpah and Saul who are given to the Gibeonites by David as restitution.