Daily Devotional | Michal: More Wisely

Being born into royalty is a double-edged sword. Royal children enjoy the advantage of power and prestige, yet their lives are never entirely their own. Certainly, that was the case for Princess Michal, the younger daughter of King Saul. Michal is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:49, along with her three brothers and older sister Merab. But she doesn’t really come onto the scene until today’s passage.

Between chapters 14 and 18, several significant events occurred. Samuel anointed David to be king (16:13). An evil spirit from the Lord terrorized Saul (16:14). Saul sent for David to be his armor bearer, and initially Saul loved him (16:19–21). In chapter 17, David killed Goliath. At that point, Saul’s affection began to wane.

Throughout 1 Samuel 18, Saul’s jealously of David grew. First, Saul’s own son Jonathan made a covenant friendship with David (18:3). Then, after David returned from war, the women of Saul’s kingdom sang David’s praise (18:7). This ignited Saul’s smoldering anger, and the next day he hurled a spear in David’s direction. David narrowly escaped and continued to prosper because the Lord was with Him.

In verse 17, Saul promised his firstborn Merab to David as a wife—in exchange for David’s commitment to fight the Philistines. This was Saul’s first covert plan to send David to the front lines. But David declined. Then Michal enters, and the first thing we learn about her is she loved David (18:20).

Saul sees this as another opportunity for revenge. He offered Michal’s hand in marriage, asking for 100 Philistine foreskins as the bride price. Incredibly, David doubles the dowry. Saul gave Michal to David, recognizing that the Lord was with him, and that Michal loved him. David acts “more wisely” than Saul’s servants, and his reputation expands.

>> Biblical wisdom thoughtfully puts into practice the truth of God’s Word. Believers are not to make rash decisions, but to bring every decision before God in prayer. Where do you need His wisdom today?