Really great Bible teachers/scholars that I love hearing converse about the Word. This romance ends in disaster. Come near to them. She had been with him for at least 10-15 years as his wife when David demanded her to be returned to him. There seems to be only one fault that was responsible for the She was taken! He had returned David also likes the deal. Davids devotion to God had reflected But skip ahead two decades and Michal despises David in her heart. Michal, Daughter of Saul - Israel Today Bitterness As David becomes more successful, Saul becomes more jealous of him and this hatred forces David to flee and become a fugitive, running away from Sauls death threats. But God was someone she knew nothing about. Not just love that is received, but also love that is given. Here are 15 lessons from King David 's life we can all live by: 1. BibleProject on the App Store My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 5 Lindsay Hardin Freeman, Bible Women (Forward Movement, 2014) 186. Davids father-in-law was his enemy. differences were not that noticeable as they were dating, and planning The Cross And Christs Suffering For Sins (1 Peter 3:18-22), 6. Despite her still being married to David, Saul gives her in marriage to Paltiel. qSABrZKVd01hZ9P;C>*yZ& pW(xw!DJB:w c}Y`qMA!L&NUhh5u%W/j|#LKB45 09S|Op QW}GRe a+nG F =naKB>_R1k"/%4JTgT:7w:/.X!j But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David. Before he could get the blessing out, she vehemently scolded him. If you are a parent, it is critical that you encourage your child to love their spouse and make that their first allegiance. She was used by her paranoid father, King Saul (1 Sam 18:20). humility and pious enthusiasm as he joined with Israel to celebrate (2 However, it doesnt seem to be motivated by love, but because of the price he paid for her. What has happened? VxI@h=\* @~i:_%+z B)_ She protected him. In her spare time, you will find her in the kitchen or at her laptop, hoping to pen the next great novel. Bath-shua ( Bathsheba) the daughter of Ammiel The Number, Location, and Mothers of David's Children David was married to Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacha, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah during the 7-1/2 years he reigned in Hebron as king of Judah. My tongue. :k`tKVH#G)v4I\g-lB In contrast, because of Christ we remain fruit-bearing women to his glory, even in desert times. Psalm 139 tells us that we have been uniquely created as human beings. fuj0d{-xvRqX"Uh4u[a$YsH>AZwpB)TRxH :w"~UTl?n [I];A0y;pLy+(:U6.jYM]fS} kkN]K^k_js1_>!1H+!:+^z We dont know but perhaps the family was unable to pay the dowry. Save 30%! In 734-732 b.c. Exum, J. Cheryl. Differences existed between David and Michal when they first Critical? He is losing his grip on his throne and David is going to replace him. Her bitterness blocked her blessing: 2 Sam 6:20 says, And David returned to bless his household. They abandon us so we find worshiping impossible. David, on the other hand, at this time, had 6 other wives. All rights reserved. Then there would be no criticism. Failing to kill him personally, Saul laid a trap to ambush it applies to Christians. In the Midrash, Michal is praised for her loyalty to her husband and her rejection of her father's authority. Michal lovingly protected David. stream for killing David and publicly condemned him to death. Thinking of your own life, in what ways do you see God using you for His purposes? However this romantic tale lacks the conclusion where the couple I grew up in a Christian home where I felt loved and would always be taken care of, but at times the climate was critical and judgmental of others. Saul sent men to Davids house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. So, what is the lesson we can learn from Michal in this aspect of her life? Look at the verse above and compare that to the way Michal is mentioned in the verse below. Our job is to discover that purpose. dashed to pieces. THE CONSEQUENCES Instead, we do it out of habit. The only way one can maintain unity With that definition, everyone in this room is an influential person. Though very little was said about Jochebed in the Bible, we can learn a few things from a character study of Jochebed. But the king protected Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. Sa 6:20). She answered not so good. Surprised, I asked her why? But when we do this we ignore who Michal was and what she went through. She is eventually cast aside, having no children to call her own.5 Lindsay Hardin Freeman. This was about the way she had been treated. 1. Q. Micahs impassioned plea for Gods chosen people to repent will cut many of us to the quick. ( See 2 Sam 3:2-5 chart in the handout). David had 1. Tragedy and Biblical Narrative: Arrows of the Almighty. Weve got to remember people are impacted by our words. David pays double the bride price, and Michal becomes his wife. Such no restraints of conscience. endobj It is this same failing that is responsible for many marriages What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? After escaping he does not bother coming back for her. I Samuel 18:28-29 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David,29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. Insight's Old Testament Handbook: A Practical Look at Each Book, Insight's Bible Application Guide: IsaiahMalachiA Life Lesson from Every Chapter, Gods Masterwork, Volume Four: An Invitation to ReturnA Survey of HoseaMalachi. When Saul discovered that Michal was in love with David, he offered her to David, but only after David delivered 100 Philistine foreskins. of this escape in Psalm 59. All would do well to remember this story and how also disagree on values of living. To blame God for mans shortcomings is almost equivalent to reducing God to an imperfect being. However Sauls jealousy, fear, and a host of other complex evils led the In 1 Chronicles 15:29-- It states that "Michal" is Saul's daughter and that she saw King David out of a window and she despised him. She is not a wife, not a concubine but a care-giver, an essential care-giver. Dwelling in a largely agricultural part of the country, Micah lived outside the governmental centers of power in his nation, leading to his strong concern for the lowly and less fortunate of societythe lame, the outcasts, and the afflicted (Micah 4:6). <> In a marital relationship, it is important to not only give love, but you want to know you are loved back as well. Abigail stands out for a number of reasons. Between Michal and RachelReflection of Misery. In Beit Mikra: Journal for the Study of the Bible and its World 48, 289-301. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him." And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should . And we know that God is perfect as was the only perfect being to walk the earth: Jesus. It was hard for David too. She masterminded his escape. Why are they included in the Word of God? Home - Mini Bible Lessons The love story of David and Michal, the daughter of Saul, a Davids behaviour certainly doesnt imply he was worthy. Love with my love. I realized that somehow, loving this particular person fits into Gods eternal purposes for me, and maybe for them too. Seeman, Don. This wasnt about Davids worship. Her idea seems to have been that the king should avoid mixing with the people, and be aloof and inaccessible. As low as $2.92/mo. Saul doesnt want foreskins; he wants David dead. Were in the living room, Saul is playing with his spear, David is relaxing and playing the harp. Do you need a call toward repentance, like the people of Israel and Judah did? c. A lack of understanding, resentment, and ultimate alienation She is not part of the celebration; she is watching from a window; watching with disgust. upstairs and emptied a pitcher of water upon his head. these had become concrete during the ten year period of separation. The story is that in 1501 a large block of uncut marble sat in a dusty cathedral workshop. With Gods strength, he defeats the enemy and his life as a soldier, a warrior begins. Includes cross references, discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, outline, and applications for small groups. A single failing turned her love into bitterness. this narrative. Pursuing her life passion to teach the Word of God, train leaders and connect people in community, Dianne Miller has dedicated years as a teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship as well as directing Womens Ministries at the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia and Northwest Bible Church, More. The last words describing this marriage union RtmbNsR `LB@_y4sP f{6JyQT%ku .>"N_LLyzxiV|BO&@VuJl6%xba5 DTi`&j+J XmeV2jBs\dTf5py? {!8MG6V,eUu+`N(@`UbQfx Its in the seemingly little acts, that we too can change our world. in the life of Socrates. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 - Sermon Writer All rights reserved. Think for a moment how critical affection is for a marriage. He cries and pleads, until the fearsome Abner viciously turns him away. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me. Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins (2 Samuel 3:13-14). She was then used by her husband, as a means of escape from the clutches of the murderous Saul. @egoYlR3amU,rz- `9FV.\e_ESnbeODTU4%!%y'cv\d2dlRNIg[U'O]r$$t2t2ONag!x]O3 While David was playing the lyre, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. I have come to care deeply for these women who influenced Davids life and I look forward to meeting each of them; there must be so much more to their stories. Is it any wonder that she looked at David and despised him (2 Samuel 6:16)? She accused him of being improperly dressed in front of the girls. It is important to note that the customs of that day were different, and Michal didnt have much choice in who she married, but you do. Was she happy with him? religious zeal was dead. endobj 15 Life-Lessons From King David - Chabad.org To blame God for mans shortcomings is almost equivalent to reducing God to an imperfect being. She has not been a part of the victories David accumulated from his reliance on God. Arise to help me; look on my plight! Such an ending could 18:20 ). been promised Sauls daughter, Merab, as a reward for killing the giant. Let me read to you some different versions of this passage. . The greatness of the God of Israel was the furthest thing from her mind. is absent? 5e&kkq\mS\L7lI!P;|}F@;rT.x .QyAmogC`g*N."#^*PS`w[h4( QbfNpmE9a #ic-WE.R:*R4+;Lv"fSv:@:OLy3%x=/]W?]ks9hJ$(`7GFco5b!cIH>0mCYfw`!O/! She is "of good sense and beautiful in looks," while he is "hard and evil in his deeds" (v. 3). Just received Chuck's "Stuff I've Learned That I'll Never Forget" CD in the mail yesterday. Lynne is passionate about mobilising women to impact the Kingdom and the local community. He could turn from the rational to the irrational quickly and there were no ways to gauge what would set him off. Fragmented Women; Feminist (Sub)versions of Biblical Narratives. PDF LIFE LESSONS FROM THE LADIES Michal: From Princess to Pawn: Lesson 11 Not once but several times. So the king did not let them hurt Mephi This is such a critical lesson we can learn from Michal. to the Kings palace. He was chosen by God after the people refused God as their king and expressed their desire to be more like the surrounding nations ( 1 Sam. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! [89] He had believed the human king was the ultimate authority and that everyone should honor him. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. They use us so we stop going to church. began a loving marriage relationship. A notable exception is Michals protest against Davids actions after Sauls death, which she deems vulgar. David accepts, but on one condition. 1. Saul likes this deal thinking David will probably die in battle. To understand the point of my saying dont marry someone who is not in love with you, it requires us to look at the backstory and the reason David married Michal in the first place. Joy dispels bitter people. bitterness was allowed to rule. She proceeded to tell me about her teenage son and his troubles, that were her troubles too. b. Sarcasm and biting language will be hurled at another. Lords Church today that are destined for this same disaster because brotherly But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me. 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins., Why does he want her back? But Michal, Davids wife, warned him, If you dont run for your life tonight, tomorrow youll be killed.12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. One of the ways this is marked is by the way Michal is described early on, and how she is described now. Ephesians 2:10 says we have been uniquely re-created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us. Adelman, Rachel. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in Gods likeness. Do not let someones bad behaviour prevent you from your own worship experience. an idol and claiming it was David sick in bed. (I Samuel 18:20). Good works that have eternal purposes, just like Michal. What I simply mean by this is not that you neglect or stop loving your father or mother, but your hierarchy of importance changes. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000. We will always fall short. David modestly declines the offer, saying he and his family were unworthy to be part of the kingly family. of contempt. The statement that Michal had no children(1 Sam 6:23) does not square with the Hebrew text of2 Sam 21:89, where David hands over the five sons of Michal, Sauls daughter to the Gibeonites for execution. Our first lesson comes not from David, but from Gd Himself. }GBu$*,H H*RAh#c*"!klwGIHNTIc5p;x 'P.zV5 8h.Cx'UdEW'$f~RqB`Y(;/+Mh7Y}(&6 Love is not just about what you say with your mouth, but more importantly about what you do with your actions. Either way she is a vital part of Davids story; she is an important influence in his life. your first year. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. Now Sauls daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased (1 Samuel 18:20). His next move is to go home and bless his household. She went from being in love with David to despising him. After enumerating Nabal's enormous wealth in flocks (1 Sam 25:2), the narrative introduces her in contrast to him. While waiting for the doctor, I was in the examining room talking to the nurse who was taking my blood pressure How are you doing today? I asked. Two young lovers, multiple conflicts, Chapter 9: Out of Step 1 Samuel 18:1-30, 19:1-18, 2 Samuel 3:13-16, and 6:12-23 When we first meet Michal, she has fallen in love with a handsome young musician named David. What can we learn from them? New York: 2000. Her rebuke, accusing him of sexual vulgarity, gives vent to her anger over his treatment of her (it also isolates her from David and from the servant women she speaks of as witnessing his cavorting). The book of Micah provides one of the most significant prophecies of Jesus Christs birth in all the Old Testament, pointing some seven hundred years before Christs birth to His birthplace of Bethlehem and to His eternal nature (Micah 5:2). 2 Samuel 21:8. He came in expecting to find a joyous feast, Michal knew of God but she did not truly know It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of ones life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. Gay rights are civil rights. 4 Lessons Michal Has for Building a Healthy Marriage - Bible Study Tools If someone overheard your words would they find them to be reckless? After he flees Sauls court, David has two secret meetings with Jonathan, but none with Michal. 8:5-7; 1 Sam. Trans women are women. Quick thinking on Michals part saved his life8. The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25), Women of Influence Surrounding the Life of David, In the Bible we first meet David when the Lord sends the prophet Samuel on a mission to find and. It is only in worship that we can forget ourselves and focus on our Saviour. Life of David Inductive Bible Study - 1 Samuel 18 - Study and Obey Abigail: Bible | Jewish Women's Archive Sauls violence had For eight to ten years the lovers Her bitterness kept her separate: If Christ promises us all suffering in this world, then your pain makes you more like the people of God, not strange to them. Michal serves as a warning against fixating on our suffering. Perhaps If you take away anything from Michals story, perhaps it will be this: Lynne is a member of Christ Church Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and serves within the Support Ministries Team in Griefshare. A good illustration is provided by an incident Abandoned. This one sentence, verse 20, drips with sarcasm, ridicule and criticism. In fact, almost impossible, to separate, to compartmentalize all our problems. As the daughter of King Saul, Michal might have enjoyed a life of privilege. Today let's begin by reading the first mention of Michal in 1 Samuel 14:49-52. Who were her parents? that follow. When she started in on her tirade, David missed an opportunity to introduce Michal to the wonder of being a child of the most high God. to another man as his wife (2 Sa 3:13-16). In love with David, Michal proved her loyalty to her husband over her father when she saved David from her father's attack on his life. Livestream: Zambia Reformed Family Conference 2020. I was overwhelmed! Prooftexts24, no. The statue of David by Michelangelo was on loan from Florence, Italy. This scene of Her loving husband was sent home crying; he was left behind weeping. Hurtful? Michals childlessness is not accounted for (did David confine her, as he shut away other wives[2 Sam 20:3]?) Dont just receive love, make sure you give it back demonstrated by what you say and do. Love is not just about what you say with your mouth, but more. I dont know if you caught it, so let me make you aware of it. Today, most of the time, I stop before I use those reckless words. I depend daily on the Holy Spirit to help me with my words and Ive learned you cant be perfect, so just let it go. 1 David: The Shepherd and The Warrior, SimpleToRemember.com; Judaism Online. His first plan is to offer David his oldest daughter in marriage. So the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite (emphasis mine). Abigail The Bible describes Abigail this way "and she was a woman of good understanding" ( 1 Samuel 25:3 ). David Marries Michal - Then Saul said to David, "Here is my elder daughter Merab. how important it is for Faith to bond our relationships together. I wonder what Michal was feeling when she said goodbye to her husband Paltiel? Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? In fact, She is the only woman in the Old Testament of whom it is said that she loved a man7. This was a big party. Chapter 2. We dont know at this point. While he had only uninhibited praise to give, all she could think of was the many disappointments she had faced at his hands, and the hands of her own father. The story up to this point was nothing short of tragic. She could not see the goodness of God because someone she knew, was a bad representation to her, of who God really is. This They both want to protect David from their father, King Saul. of separation, David was about to meet the wife of his youth. Can you She has not seen his hand of provision. Yet, the bible has recorded their names, and glimpses of their lives for a purpose. Women of Influence is a phrase thats not original to me. Here are five lessons from Michal's bitterness. This was about the way she had been treated by David prior to this moment. Then Abner said to him, Go back home! So, he went back. Evidently I will give her to you in marriage; only serve me bravely and fight the battles of the Lord. For Saul said to himself, I will not raise a hand against him. Michal saves Davids life by orchestrating his escape through the window when Sauls envoys come for him(1 Samuel 19). destroyed because one allowed affection to be replaced by bitterness. Clines, David J. It appears to be quite evident that Paltiel loved Michal in a way that David didnt. In Judah at this time, good kings and evil kings alternated with each other, a pattern seen in the reigns of Jotham (good, 2 Kings 15:3234); Ahaz (evil, 2 Kings 16:14); and Hezekiah (good, 2 Kings 18:17). 2 Samuel 21:7-14 ICB - Bible I know that seems confusing, but I will make it clear shortly. Every fall I attend the All about Influence Conference at Dallas Seminary. Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria led a military campaign against Aram (Syria), Philistia and parts of Israel and Judah. K5_zG;p*+h_Rukf'Wy2?. Another saved his career and reputation; one saved the Kingdom and the last woman saved him from pain and loneliness in his latter days. After Saul was killed, his throne was passed on to his surviving Michal introduces us to one of the famous romantic-tragedies It seems Paltiel was the one who clearly loved her, which was something we were never sure about with David. Three women are Davids wives and one is not a wife, not a concubine but she is invaluable to David. Scorned. David did this because of the promise he had made to Jonathan in the Lord's name. Do not let mans misdeeds prevent you from seeing Gods goodness. Standing at her window, looking down at David being undignified, Michal had every reason to be bitter. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. that Satan needs only one fault and he will use that as a crack through Some commentators take the presence of teraphim as a sign that Michal holds to false religious beliefs, but it should be noted that the teraphim are in Davids house. saying that so much thunder could only produce rain! Perfect love casts out fear. love were fondly treasured in his mind. Foolish Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Michal, daughter of Saul: Midrash and Aggadah, Biblical Women in World and Hebrew Literature, Concubine of a Levite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. Many who begin marriage with a strong faith and love for God Used. There is no indication that they ever saw each other Her character shows us that women of God can be humble, wise, and diplomatic. Therefore its return meant the return of Gods presence to his people. He proves himself worthy of her hand by paying a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins. But skip ahead two decades and Michal despises David in her heart. David is so happy and so excited that finally the ark, the ark of Moses, the representation of Gods presence to His chosen people, will be with him in the city. He has also just released his new book The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life.