1 Samuel 18:17-23
Verse 23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, “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.”
Saul’s knowledge that David now had the Spirit that he had once had, pushes Saul to figure out ways to get rid of David without actually doing it himself. He doesn’t want to be accused by God of having killed God’s servant. With the wheels of his mind turning Saul comes up with a plan that will get rid of David and make it happen at the hands of the enemy. Sadly he is willing to use his daughter if that is what it takes.
David, having the Spirit of the Lord upon him, doesn’t take the bait. Though he has been living with the royal family as one of their own, he points out that he isn’t worthy of such connections. He may not have wanted to marry the daughter for other reasons but there may have been even more to his reasoning. The battle with Goliath wasn’t about the prizes for David.
When asked what was to be given to the man who killed the giant, he was told the victorious warrior would be given the daughter of the king as a wife and tax free living for his family. But even then David wasn’t as interested in the rewards of the king as he was about defending the true King of Israel, God. David may have been young but he understood some of what it would mean to be a son in law of the king. It wouldn’t mean glory for the young man, it meant being a soldier and having a devotion to the king that David felt God alone deserved.
Saul can’t seem to get through to David on his own so he gets his other attendants to work on David and convince him to marry Michal. Michal had come to love David. She had likely witnessed many moments between him and Jonathan and watched her dad go from moody to quiet of spirit because of the music David played. She may have heard all the other girls gushing about him and thought she had a better chance because of his connection with her family. All of this had led her to love him and she didn’t mind others telling her dad.
David didn’t think that he qualified to be in the king’s family. Maybe he saw it as the king stooping to a poor man’s level to get rid of his daughter. David knew he could never afford the bride price and knowing the king’s daughters as he now did from living among the family, he saw them as worth what a king’s daughter would be worth. David wasn’t saying no out of false humility, he knew his place and had his reasons and he preferred it that way.
Making It Personal
When it comes to personal decisions what dictates your choice? Is your dedication to God more important to you than status you may gain? Where do you need to stand firm in your life?
Making It Personal Kids
What are some things that help you make choices? How can you make a decision that you know will please Jesus? Is it easy to make decisions?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for always being willing to give us guidance. Help us know when to stand for You and how to make choices that always glorify You. In Jesus’ name, amen.