"I will give her to David," Saul thought, "so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "For a second time now you can be my son-in-law." “I will give her to David,”Saul's offer to give his daughter in marriage to David is a strategic move rather than a gesture of goodwill. In ancient Israel, marriages often served political purposes, solidifying alliances or consolidating power. Saul's intention here is not to honor David but to manipulate the situation to his advantage. This reflects the complex dynamics of royal marriages in the ancient Near East, where personal relationships were often secondary to political strategy. “so that she may be a snare to him,”
Saul's plan is to use his daughter as a means to entrap David. The term "snare" suggests a trap or a stumbling block, indicating Saul's desire to see David fall into misfortune. This reflects Saul's growing jealousy and fear of David, who is gaining popularity and favor among the people. The use of family members as pawns in political schemes was not uncommon in ancient times, highlighting the often ruthless nature of royal politics. “and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.”
Saul hopes that by marrying his daughter, David will be drawn into conflicts with the Philistines, Israel's perennial enemies. The Philistines were a significant threat during Saul's reign, and Saul's intention is to have David killed in battle. This reflects Saul's desperation to eliminate David, whom he sees as a rival to his throne. The Philistines' presence in the narrative underscores the constant external threats faced by Israel and the need for strong leadership. So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.”
This statement refers to Saul's previous offer of his elder daughter, Merab, to David, which did not come to fruition (1 Samuel 18:17-19). Saul's repeated offer indicates his persistent attempts to ensnare David. The phrase "for a second time" highlights Saul's manipulative tactics and his determination to use marriage as a means to control David. This also foreshadows the ongoing tension between Saul and David, which is a central theme in the narrative of 1 Samuel. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who becomes increasingly jealous and fearful of David's rising popularity and success. 2. DavidA young shepherd anointed by God to be the future king of Israel, known for his faithfulness and bravery, particularly in defeating Goliath. 3. MichalSaul's daughter, whom Saul offers to David as a wife, intending to use her as a snare. 4. PhilistinesA perennial enemy of Israel, whom Saul hopes will be the downfall of David. 5. Marriage ProposalSaul's offer of his daughter Michal to David, which is a strategic move rather than a genuine gesture of goodwill. Teaching Points The Dangers of ManipulationSaul's use of his daughter as a pawn highlights the destructive nature of manipulation and deceit. Believers are called to act with integrity and honesty, avoiding using others for selfish gain. God's Sovereignty Amidst Human SchemesDespite Saul's intentions, God's plan for David's life prevails. This reminds us that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes, and we can trust Him to work all things for good. The Importance of DiscernmentDavid's situation calls for discernment in relationships and alliances. Christians should seek God's wisdom in discerning the motives of others and making decisions that align with His will. Faithfulness in AdversityDavid's continued faithfulness, even when faced with Saul's plots, serves as an example of steadfastness. Believers are encouraged to remain faithful to God, even when facing trials and opposition. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's manipulation of his daughter Michal reflect the dangers of using relationships for personal gain? Can you identify similar situations in today's world? 2. In what ways does David's experience with Saul and Michal demonstrate the need for discernment in our relationships? How can we apply this in our own lives? 3. How does the account of David and Saul illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty over human plans? Can you think of a time when you saw God's plan prevail despite human intentions? 4. What can we learn from David's response to adversity and opposition? How can we apply his example of faithfulness in our own challenges? 5. How do the events in 1 Samuel 18:21 connect with the broader account of David's life and God's promises to him? How does this encourage you in your own walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 18:17Earlier, Saul had offered his elder daughter Merab to David, with similar intentions of using her as a snare. 1 Samuel 19:11-17Michal's loyalty to David is demonstrated when she helps him escape from Saul's attempt to kill him. Psalm 59Traditionally attributed to David during this period of Saul's pursuit, expressing trust in God's deliverance. 2 Samuel 3:13-14David later demands Michal's return as his wife, indicating the complex nature of their relationship and political alliances. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Cause, Danger, David, Hands, In-law, Law, Opportunity, Philistines, Saul, Snare, Son-in-law, To-day, Twain, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:21 5654 betrothal
5736 singleness 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 18:21 NIV1 Samuel 18:21 NLT1 Samuel 18:21 ESV1 Samuel 18:21 NASB1 Samuel 18:21 KJV
1 Samuel 18:21 Commentaries
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