Who were her siblings? After enumerating Nabal's enormous wealth in flocks (1 Sam 25:2), the narrative introduces her in contrast to him. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. As you do this, that love continues to grow, helping you not just to start out in love but to stay in love throughout the years till death do you part. She went from being in love with David to despising him. However, Saul is not going to give up without a fight and a plan. Their quarrel raises another important issue by repeatedly referring to the kingship: the rejection of the house of Saul in favor of the house of David. The reunion officially took place at Hebron. God gave him control of Judah and many other territories. A good illustration is provided by an incident king to betray his promise and Merab was given to another. 1. Can you picture the scene; the ark is being brought up the hill, in the middle of the street, the crowds are following, singing, dancing, tambourines are playing. Its because only in his presence can our sinful nature and human failures be overwhelmed by his grace. Scripture tells us in the procession there were hundreds of priests, musicians with harps, cymbals, lyres, singers, trumpets, elders of Israel. As we look at her life, there are some great relationship lessons we can learn from Michal. Saul seized upon this with bitter trials because on spouse loves God more than the other. Michal is Saul's daughter that married David, and Jonathan is his son. The Ark was a symbol of Gods law; a reminder of his provision; a place to know Gods will; a token of Gods holiness; the place of atonement; and a powerful reflection of the very presence of God. They both want to protect David from their father, King Saul. Finally negotiations were successful and the two mi'-kal (mikhal, contracted from mikha'el, "Michael" (which see); Melchol): Saul's younger daughter (1 Samuel 14:49), who, falling in love with David after his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 18:20), was at last, on the payment of double the dowry asked, married to him (1 Samuel 18:27).Her love was soon put to the test. been promised Sauls daughter, Merab, as a reward for killing the giant. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today. 2 0 obj Have we loved well those that God has put in our lives? I wonder was she aware, did she believe at this time that David would be the next King? We are told in Hebrews 11:23 that Moses was hidden by his parents because they saw he was a beautiful child. The tragedy of Michal the joyous home filled with affection This one sentence, verse 20, drips with sarcasm, ridicule and criticism. If you take away anything from Michals story, perhaps it will be this: Lynne is a member of Christ Church Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and serves within the Support Ministries Team in Griefshare. How does love turn to hurt? This little rescue, saved the life of the future King of all Israel. that follow. We have seen from this story that there is never any sense or confirmation that David truly loved Michal. In the Bible we first meet David when the Lord sends the prophet Samuel on a mission to find and anoint Saul's replacement as King of Israel due to Saul's rebellious heart and sin. Decisions are made for her as she is handed off from one man to another and trapped by power grabs. occurs. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.2 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord. For Saul said to himself, I will not raise a hand against him. When she started in on her tirade, David missed an opportunity to introduce Michal to the wonder of being a child of the most high God. I cant say this definitively, but it is food for thought. I didnt see that my words were unkind or cruel. David was willing to do anything to In 1 Chronicles 15:29-- It states that "Michal" is Saul's daughter and that she saw King David out of a window and she despised him. (Hebrew). Listen to Davids response: II Samuel 6:21-22 David said to Michal, It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lords people IsraelI will celebrate before the Lord. Michal is often regarded as the shrew who did not approve of Davids exuberant worship. I Samuel 18:28-29 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David,29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. Good, said David. Another saved his career and reputation; one saved the Kingdom and the last woman saved him from pain and loneliness in his latter days. The greatness of the God of Israel was the furthest thing from her mind. I Samuel 19:9-16 But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. Most of us dont decide daily to cut people down or find ways to carry out injustice. We know how we can destroy others with our words, we know how other peoples words have cut our hearts too. Just do everything right and you wont get criticized. Michal raised her sisters children. Michal had reckless words to David; words that pierced him like a sword. 9 The Quest Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House 1994) 404. Abruptly she stopped and apologized saying Im trying to leave my family problems at home, but thats hard. Yes, it is hard. As David became more and more successful in battle, Saul became more and more jealous, envious of his victories. Michal learned of the plot and helped David escape by covering What Michal and many of us dont see is that when we give ourselves over to worship with fervour, its not because we think ourselves worthy to be in Gods presence. e. The Marital Tragedy The better David did the more suspicious and angry Saul felt toward David. It starts as a fairytale romance. Michals life is a contrast between loving someone so much that you risked your life to protect them and then later in life despising them so much you try to destroy them with your critical words. . Michal and Jonathan Protect David. Who are the lowly in your life? Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Hiding from the presence of God, her life produced no fruit. Then Abner said to him, Go back home! So, he went back. The love story of David and Michal, the daughter of Saul, a After Saul was killed, his throne was passed on to his surviving but he walked straight into a hornets nest. The first words to greet Last thing we know about her, a tragic statement for her, living in her times. 2 Samuel 3:13-16 paints a very poignant picture of Michals husband following her. Michals love for David was used by her father King Saul, to get rid of David. I was 12 years old when our 6th grade field trip went to New York City. 4 0 obj is absent? He exposed himself to the girls along the street like a common pervert! (Living Bible). As a woman of beauty and brains, she counsels David, prophesies his kingship, and becomes one of his wives who is actually named. Thanks for the good work you do. bitterness was allowed to rule. she could tolerate Davids piety no longer! Lockyer's All the Women of the Bible. David is a fugitive, running for his life, until Saul is killed in battle which results in a split Nation in crisis. Scorned. Fragmented Women; Feminist (Sub)versions of Biblical Narratives. Perfect love casts out fear. Klein, Lillian R. Michal, the Barren Wife. In A Feminist Companion to Samuel and Kings, second series, edited by Athalya Brenner, 37-46. But no man (or woman) could ever fully represent the greatness and purity and mystery of the God who created the heavens and the earth. intrigue, emotional peaks and valleys, danger, etc., all are a part of Clines, David J. Like a pale and spindly sapling forever caught under a canopy of larger trees, Michal is emotionally trapped by the men around her: her father, King Saul and her husband, King David. She is not part of the celebration; she is watching from a window; watching with disgust. Proud member qSABrZKVd01hZ9P;C>*yZ& pW(xw!DJB:w c}Y`qMA!L&NUhh5u%W/j|#LKB45 09S|Op QW}GRe a+nG F =naKB>_R1k"/%4JTgT:7w:/.X!j Im just amazed arent you that God wants to use us too and our little lives for Kingdom purposes. There seems to be only one fault that was responsible for the To blame God for mans shortcomings is almost equivalent to reducing God to an imperfect being. Davids rude reply is his only speech addressed to her in the narrative. The bride was just radiant, and the groom couldnt keep from smiling. Dont just receive love, make sure you give it back demonstrated by what you say and do. Because it seems like David never gave that type of love to Michal, eventually over time she went from being in love with him to despising him. 3 Adele Berlin, Poetics and Interpretation of Biblical Narrative (Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns, 1994) 33. Saul is Israel's first king. He could turn from the rational to the irrational quickly and there were no ways to gauge what would set him off. What Kind of Friend Was the Apostle Paul? This is such a critical lesson we can learn from Michal. Surrounding Micahs prophecy of Jesuss birth is one of the most lucid pictures of the worlds future under the reign of the Prince of Peace (5:5). Judah, Ammon, Edom and Moab paid tribute to the Assyrian king, but Israel did not fare as well. Try Bible Gateway Plus free for 14 days! News reached Michal apparently did not understand Davids reasons for bringing the ark into Jerusalem. Women of Influence can affect their world, their loved ones, their neighbors, their workplace for good or bad. 3. of this escape in Psalm 59. Abandoned. A notable exception is Michal's protest against David's actions after Saul's death, which she deems vulgar. I cant imagine how painful her words felt to him at this moment. She could not see the goodness of God because someone she knew, was a bad representation to her, of who God really is. Before we look at the women, lets look at David. Tissot Michal Watching David from a Window,18961902, byJames Tissot. Bitterness corrupts how you see others. Michal was the younger daughter of King Saul and is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:49. It appears to be quite evident that Paltiel loved Michal in a way that David didnt. The Marital Problems during the separation. Friday, July 20, 2018. If someone overheard your words would they find them to be reckless? 2 Samuel 6:23 And Michal, the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. I know that seems confusing, but I will make it clear shortly. David had brought the ark into the city and placed it in a special made tent, then offered sacrifices praising God. Michal lies to her father to conceal her involvement; that she took a great risk is indicated by the parallel to her brother Jonathan, whom Saul tries to kill for abetting David(1 Sam 20:3033). This great love story offers a sad conclusion. ,38dJ|U"R' W`'Z;gzj'3$BX|wGHAx2jp8/:xPo^hy"c}'C~u[oEHg=lPSM)a= xSdOHS]jE\Jwa\u:5qs= 55kov@mkMgKKgd_ /T-rV2Va.f)(/ King Saul in the Historiography of Judah. to bless his home (6:20). When two disagree on matters of faith, they will Women in Scripture. found out, she lied to Saul to save her own life. Not only are these evident in marriages, but they are evident I Chronicles 15:3 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. We dont know but perhaps the family was unable to pay the dowry. At one time, having vented all the reproaches upon him that her I will give her to you for a wife. This romantic tale is filled with details that would assure There is no clear reason why she despised him, so I would like to offer a possibility. This little escape saved the lineage of the Messiah. Our first lesson comes not from David, but from Gd Himself. This Even after they married, Saul tried to kill David. He likes the idea of being the kings son-in-law; and were sure Michal likes the deal. Socrates only laughed, David and Michal are married, both for the first time. Why was she so upset over his clothes? lives happily ever after as the curtain comes down. After he flees Sauls court, David has two secret meetings with Jonathan, but none with Michal. The book of Micah provides one of the most significant prophecies of Jesus Christ's birth in all the Old Testament, pointing some seven hundred years before Christ's birth to His birthplace of Bethlehem and to His eternal nature ( Micah 5:2 ). Years passed and Saul dies in battle opening up the way for David to become first the King of Judah and then ultimately the King of all Israel, reigning a total of 40 years. an idol and claiming it was David sick in bed. Michals appearances in 12 Samuel reflect her confinement as a woman caught in the fierce struggle over the kingship between her father, Saul, and her husband, David. She is eventually cast aside, having no children to call her own.5 Lindsay Hardin Freeman. David's marriage to Michal (17-30) I. Jonathan befriends David (1-4) Discussion Questions. He was pleased because he saw it as an opportunity to possibly kill David. 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 . <> Photo credit: Getty Images/ProstockStudio. have been possible but love was not enthroned in its rightful place and What I interpreted that to mean for me was being good really meant you should be perfect. "And Michal the daughter of Saul loved David" (I Samuel 18:20). Today, most of the time, I stop before I use those reckless words. I depend daily on the Holy Spirit to help me with my words and Ive learned you cant be perfect, so just let it go. 2 We all stumble in many ways. She was used by her paranoid father, King Saul (1 Sam 18:20). L. Kachelman, Jr. may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no Sa 2:12ff). Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. We can learn from their successes and their mistakes how to be Gods influential women. Our own goodness and wisdom cannot bring us to salvation; only the sacrifice of Jesus Christ can restore our broken relationship with God. He had paid the bride-price, and she was still his wife when angry Saul gave her to Paltiel. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Its at the end of his life that we meet the fourth woman, Abishag. He had returned such homes there is the added sorrow of knowing that two people have pledged Trans women are women. Truth: Loving others well cooperates with Gods eternal purposes. We will always fall short. David's life has some sharp edges, as does Michal's. Let's take a look at her life and try to glean some lessons. David had Includes cross references, discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, outline, and applications for small groups. As Chuck was talking, Christ was also talking to my heart. sharp-tongues, sarcasm, resentment, and an intolerance for others who are Salem Media Group. Every fall I attend the All about Influence Conference at Dallas Seminary. How about you? David then returns and sends for Michal. While parents still can play an important role, the role must change and can no longer be the primary relationship in your life. In that period there N-Kt#+X]n'%aKVb/Xc2. are very sad (2 Sa 6:23). way they reacted to Sauls persecution (19:11-17). stream Edelman, Diana Vikander. He proves himself worthy of her hand by paying a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins. Dwelling in a largely agricultural part of the country, Micah lived outside the governmental centers of power in his nation, leading to his strong concern for the lowly and less fortunate of societythe lame, the outcasts, and the afflicted (Micah 4:6). He is called a man after Gods own heart. What a fascinating story, filled with intrigue and suspense. Abigail The Bible describes Abigail this way "and she was a woman of good understanding" ( 1 Samuel 25:3 ). Michal must have been in a very uncomfortable position, stuck between her husband and her father. These two scenes, the only ones in which Michal plays an active role, are framed by scenes in which Michal is acted upon:1 Samuel 19,where she actively takes Davids part against her father Saul, is framed by scenes in which she is acted upon by her father(1 Sam 18:2029and 25:44); and Samuel 6, where she takes the part of her fathers house against her husband, David, is framed by scenes in which she is acted upon by her husband(2 Sam 3:13and 21:89). Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. desert wilderness crosses multiple battlefields and eventually returns 7 Larry R. Helyer, Hero and Heroine Narratives in the Old Testament (Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, Vol. upstairs and emptied a pitcher of water upon his head. warring parties (King Sauls troops and Davids troops) were united (2 Truth: Our words have the power to help or harm. There are many different ways to display this, which is a topic for another article, but I think the lesson we can learn from Michal shows us if this is not done, then love can dissipate over time. When Saul exiled David, she was given in marriage to another man, and he wept bitterly over giving her back to David (2 Sam 3:13-16). For a brooding history linked her to this man, celebrating wildly in the streets. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2015. Its in the seemingly little acts, that we too can change our world. 1 (2004): 1-50. During those wilderness years, David meets our second woman of influence, Abigail, the wife of Nabal. To blame God for mans shortcomings is almost equivalent to reducing God to an imperfect being. Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Lords Church today that are destined for this same disaster because brotherly 6. The once-tender relationship was These She rescued the husband she loved from certain death. 1 0 obj Thinking of your own life, in what ways do you see God using you for His purposes? Rise Up, O Judge of the Earth. David pays double the bride price, and Michal becomes his wife. When David is sent by his father to check on them, he volunteers to fight Goliath. David cried Oh God, save me, save my life. God lovingly did save him and God used Michal to deliver David from certain death. However these I will make an agreement with you. She is our first influential woman that we will study. The love that brought the couple Consider the various lessons we can learn from Jonathan's life . Thus she serves as a warning, a warning against fixating on our suffering to the point that we fail to worship our loving heavenly bridegroom (Ephesians 5:31-32). Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. When David fled from Sauls ambush, Michal was taken and given In one instance Saul tried to kill David and Michal warned David and helped him escape from Saul. In fact, he brings double. So, there is a wedding. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. Failing to kill him personally, Saul laid a trap to ambush Just as it took years to chisel away at the rough edges of the marble to smooth the sculptures surface to perfection, there were also years of refining, testing, training for the man of God to be Gods King of Israel and our women of influence were part of Gods plan for David. Joy dispels bitter people. 10 Dr. Thomas Constable, Constables Notes, NET Bible Study Suite www.NetBible.org. However, she made the right decision because she chose her husband. He was chosen by God after the people refused God as their king and expressed their desire to be more like the surrounding nations ( 1 Sam. Michal is important in biblical history because she fell in love with David, even though her older sister, Merab, had been promised to David as a wife as a prize for killing Saul's enemies ( 1 Samuel 18:17 ). But Michal, Davids wife, warned him, If you dont run for your life tonight, tomorrow youll be killed (1 Samuel 19:11). endobj The deal gets done. However this romantic tale lacks the conclusion where the couple Its evident from the text that Saul was both mentally and emotionally unstable. 2003. gradually yield convictions for what is called peace. They only find The prophet Micah identified himself by his hometown, called Moresheth Gath, which sat near the border of Philistia and Judah about twenty-five miles southwest of Jerusalem. `-)%syGa)r0|4 mRTlAF4E+"E&t22NNG>.J But Michal, Davids wife, warned him, If you dont run for your life tonight, tomorrow youll be killed.12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. She proceeded to tell me about her teenage son and his troubles, that were her troubles too. Instead of loving and protecting, we find her belittling and ridiculing David; wounding instead of helping. Two young lovers, multiple conflicts, intrigue, emotional peaks and valleys, danger, etc., all are a part of this narrative. fury could suggest, Socrates went out and sat on his front steps. Copyright 2023 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. Davids greatness shines in both his ability to take responsibility for his actions and the humility of his admission and the repentance that follows. The story is that in 1501 a large block of uncut marble sat in a dusty cathedral workshop. <>/Metadata 149 0 R/ViewerPreferences 150 0 R>> fuj0d{-xvRqX"Uh4u[a$YsH>AZwpB)TRxH :w"~UTl?n [I];A0y;pLy+(:U6.jYM]fS} kkN]K^k_js1_>!1H+!:+^z Livestream: Zambia Reformed Family Conference 2020. He alone is able to bring joy from suffering, hope from affliction, and life from death. All rights reserved. Used. of David has already been dodging Sauls spear but as time progresses there is an outright contract on his life and he is in danger. Then Abner said to him, Go back home! So he went back (2 Samuel 3:15-16). . danger. Hurtful? your first year. Davids family life gets very messy and complicated: Theres incest, murder, rebellion, plagues and political upheavals all the rest of his life. 1SA 18:17 "Saul said to David, 'Here is my older daughter Merab. This wasnt about Davids worship. But then, later, her harsh words, flowing from a hard heart could not be taken back. We view David, on the other hand, as an icon of what worship should look like. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. He is losing his grip on his throne and David is going to replace him.