Saul Tries To Get David Killed

Saul had gotten jealous when the women had sung about Saul killing thousands and David killing tens of thousands, fearing David might try to usurp the throne.  After brooding about it all night, he had developed a bad attitude, and David came to play for hin and help him settle down, in I Samuel 18:10-11.  “And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.  And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.”

Seeing David playing the harp reminded Saul why he was so upset.  In a fit of rage, he hurled a spear at David, intending to kill him, but David managed to dodge it twice.  His failure to kill David increased Saul’s paranoia, as I Samuel 18:12-13 tells us.  “And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.  Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.”  People tend to judge others by what their own attitude and actions, and he feared David would try to kill him.  Knowing it would cause trouble if he had David executed, Saul promoted to be a field commander so he wouldn’t get the chance to kill him. 

David quickly earned the respect of his troops, worrying Saul even more.  Fearing any action against David would result in rebellion, Saul tried to put in a position where he would be killed by the Philistines, in I Samuel 18:14-18.  “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.  Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.  And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?”  In an effort to motivate David to take unnecessary risks, Saul promised to give David his daughter Merab as his wife if he defeated the Philistines.   David was young and didn’t feel qualified to be a princess’ husband so he just performed his duties without taking chances.  He successfully defeated the Philistines, but Saul broke his promise, as I Samuel 18:19 tells us.  “But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.” 

Like many political figures, Saul had only made the promise in an effort to get his own way, expecting David to be killed.    When David survived, Saul either had to keep his promise or lose his credibility, and since Merab had married someone else he had a problem.  Fortunately, his younger daughter, Michal had a crush on David and was close to the same age.  Saul thought he could use her to get rid of David.  He encouraged his servants to tell David he really wanted him as a son in law, and that if he could bring proof that he had killed a hundred Philistines, there would be no question of his deserving her, in I Samuel 18:20-25.  “And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain. And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.  And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David.

And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.  And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.”

David fell for Saul’s trickery, and did twice as much as Saul had requested, in I Samuel 18:26-29.  “And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.  Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.  And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.  And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.”

Saul’s plot failed and he was forced to keep his promise to let David marry Michal.  Realizing it was God protecting David, he became even more determined to kill him.  Sometimes it is amazing how dumb selfishness makes people, as we are seeing in American politics.  Please note that a person’s attitude is a product of their spirit, and affects everything they do.   While we can’t see the spirit, any more than we can see the wind, like the wind, we can see its effects in a person’s life.