"Plans of Mice and Men Go Astray"

Thank you, Lord, for another beautiful day! Each day is a gift from God and I never miss that thought when I wake. No matter what the weather, it IS a beautiful day and I am thankful that today I can share some thoughts over I Samuel 18 with you. This is Katrinka writing today and we begin with the reading of chapter 18, verses 12-30. It is an intruiging adventure, this growing conflict between king Saul and David. Saul is getting greener and greener with jealousy and David remains oblivious to his subversive plans for his death. The Philistines are the great enemy at the moment, and David's success in battle is bringing him laurels and fame. Saul, to say the least, is NOT happy.

Isn't it the same old trite theme again -- men trying to use women to bring about the ruin of their enemy? Well, that is just what Saul is doing this time. He plots the death of David using, of all people, his own daughters, as a means to that end!

Saul offers his oldest daughter to David first, asking that in return David "serve bravely and fight the battles of the Lord." Now that sounds good, doesn't it? But Saul was a crafty, jealous man. Remembering the popularity of David, he realizes that he cannot harm him without bringing down a lot of problems on himself from the people who love David! Saul said to himself, "I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!" (v. 17).

David, on the other hand, is just too good to be true! He is humble in spirit and serves with all his heart both his king and His God. David feels that he is unworthy to be the son-in-law of King Saul, and refuses to marry the oldest daughter. What a bummer for Saul! His perfect plan is foiled by the goodness and humility of David's heart. But Saul's heart is being eaten away with the burning hatred growing inside of him for David
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Then a sweet note comes to Saul's ears. He hears that his daughter Michal is in love with David. Now here is an interesting development! We can just see Saul's eyes light up with the newfound revelation and the realization that he has another chance for his dastardly deed of bringing about David's death. 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." (v. 20).

Now I have to wonder just what it was about Michal that he thought would be a snare to David? It is true that in many cases a woman can be the downfall of a man. On the other hand, the old saying is still true: "Behind every successful man there is a good woman." Yep. A woman is indeed a powerful tool! If she is good, she can be a tremendous influence for good with her husband. If she is wicked, she can bring about terrible atrocities from her husband. Remember Jezebel? Somehow, however, I think that Michal was not of the Jezebel variety. Perhaps it was just that Saul thought that her great beauty and sweetness would distract David from the main focus of his life -- serving his God. Any distraction could bring about carelessness in battle on David's part and result in his death.

Foiled again! Saul must be gnashing his teeth by now! David again resists the offer of the king's daughter, saying, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known." (v. 23). There it is again. Humility serves as a shield against great danger in the life of David. Humility is also a great shield for your heart and mine against hidden snares that Satan throws our way. What a great lesson we can learn about protecting our own lives and souls!

Long story short: David finally agreed to Saul's stringent conditions in war against the Philistines to win Michal for his wife. But instead of being killed in the battles, David was overwhelmingly successful and came home triumphant to claim his reward. David got his princess! Michal was given to him in marriage! Surely the Lord blessed that union and with it brought Saul's evil plans to naught!

End of story: "When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days." (v. 28).

Foiled again! This Old Testament confrontation reminds me a little of the old Looney Tunes cartoon -- "Roadrunner and Wily Cayote." No matter what scheme Saul had to get rid of David, the Lord God turned it around for David's good instead! So, in the end David got the girl, the people in the kingdom of Israel loved David even more than before, and his victories against God's enemies, the Philistines, increased.

So: They lived happily ever after? Well, that is not the end of the story. But it is a really good beginning for David and Michal and for Israel. David is called "the man after God's own heart." Maybe it was his humility and devotion to the Lord that made it so?

Dear Lord, please give me humility for this day. Help me not to think more of myself that I should, but instead to think about others being better than I am. Please use me for good in fulfilling your purposes in this world. Let me see the great blessings that You give me every day of my life. Thank you for my Hero, Jesus Christ, whose blood makes me confident in your Grace and forgiveness when I fall short. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now it's YOUR turn! Please join in this discussion with your own thoughts and/or questions. It is so encouraging to read your input! You can choose to be Anonymous and sign your name at the end or not, as you choose. Or you can sign in following the instructions on the upper right of the blog. Chris and all who participate will benefit from your participation. Thanks all, and God bless you!