What does Saul's plan reveal about his character and intentions? Setting the Scene • After David’s victory over Goliath, his popularity rises (1 Samuel 18:6–7). • Saul’s jealousy is inflamed: “Saul eyed David from that day on” (1 Samuel 18:9). • Having failed once with Merab (18:17-19), Saul turns to Michal, who “loved David” (18:20). Saul’s Plan in Focus 1 Sa 18:21: “So Saul said, ‘I will give her to him, so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.’ Therefore Saul said to David a second time, ‘You are now my son-in-law.’” What the Plan Reveals about Saul’s Character • Jealousy taking root – Proverbs 14:30 warns, “Jealousy is rottenness to the bones.” Saul’s bones are already decaying with envy. • Manipulative scheming – He masks murder behind marriage, using paternal authority for wicked ends. • Deceitful speech – Psalm 5:9: “There is no faithfulness in their mouth… their throat is an open grave.” Saul’s words of congratulations hide death. • Callous disregard for family – Treats Michal not as daughter but bait. See also 1 Samuel 22:18-19 for later cruelty toward priests and families. • Cowardice masked by cunning – He wants Philistine swords to do what his own spear has failed to accomplish (18:11; 19:10). • Hardness of heart – Repeated exposure to God’s deliverances through David only deepens Saul’s rebellion (Romans 2:4-5 principle). What the Plan Reveals about Saul’s Intentions • Eliminate the perceived rival without direct blame. • Preserve royal image—if David dies in battle, Saul can claim innocence. • Retain the throne at any cost, contradicting God’s prior decree of David’s future kingship (1 Samuel 13:14; 16:1, 13). • Exploit the enemy’s violence for personal gain, similar to Herod using wise men (Matthew 2:8). Contrast with David • David’s humility: “Who am I… that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” (1 Samuel 18:23). • David’s faith works, not schemes: fulfills the bride-price honorably (18:27). • David’s growing favor—“David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul” (18:30). • The Lord’s presence: “The LORD was with David” (18:12, 14), whereas “the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul” (16:14). Scripture’s Wider Witness to Such Schemes • Joseph’s brothers (Genesis 37:18-20) plot death masked by circumstance. • Haman (Esther 3:6-9) engineers others to execute his hatred. • Judas (Matthew 26:14-16) cloaks betrayal with a kiss. God repeatedly exposes hidden malice and protects His anointed (Psalm 2:1-4). Lessons for the Heart • Envy, if unchecked, will twist relationships, poison motives, and lead to murderous outcomes (James 3:16). • Manipulation uses people; love protects them (1 Colossians 13:4-7). • God’s sovereignty overrules human plots—Saul aims to ensnare David, yet the marriage ultimately strengthens David’s claim to the throne (2 Samuel 3:13-14). Saul’s plan, intended to destroy, instead discloses his decayed character and underscores the steadfast faithfulness of God toward His chosen servant. |
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