Michal: The princess of Israel and giant slayer

The women in the Bible series reveal to us many different women in the Bible. We get to know what they did right and what they did wrong. We learn from their strengths and avoid their mistakes as much as we can. This week, we shall focus on Michal, the daughter of king Saul. Michal’s story is quite similar to the story of most 21st Century women. She was a lady who knew what she wanted and she pressed for it. She was a princess who loved a warrior. Maybe this might draw your attention to the stories you read as a child. The popular theme in the stories about a princess falling in love is usually clouded in a series of discord, hatred, battles to fight and opposition from the people around them. Suddenly, there is a turnaround and they live happily ever after. However,  if you are married, you know that the ever after is full of different stages. Yes, you would be happy but there are times that you also deal with life’s challenges. 

Michal, like any young woman, was attracted to the champion of the day, David. In a very dramatic way, David had defeated a giant and led the army of Israel to a resounding victory (1 Samuel 17). This feat attracted David lovers and haters. The people loved David but the king, the father of Michal, hated David. What was David’s crime? “When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:6‭-‬9). Saul’s initial attempt was to have David marry his first daughter Merab because that was part of the package for the person who could defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17:25). David refused to marry the king’s daughter because he knew the implications of being an in-law to the king.

Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. (1 Samuel 18:20)

Therefore, Merab was given to another. Saul’s attempt to get David marry his daughter was for Saul’s evil schemes. Michal loved David. She was in love with the champion of the day. In 1 Samuel 18:20, the scripture records this: “Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased.” Michal’s love for David was Saul’s own way to trap David. However, Saul was wrong because Michal was ready to do everything to save her husband. “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” (1 Samuel 18:28‭-‬29). When we read the account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), you tend to wonder why Saul would hate on David. But, it all started when the women composed songs that credited David with tens of thousands and Saul with just a thousand. David’s victory attracted the attention of the women in the city. Michal, like the other women, fell in love with the champion. While David remained on the field as a shepherd, he was obscured to these women.

The “falling in love” stage of life is very common and during that stage, lovers are willing to do anything for the other. As a princess, Michal would have become a potential wife to great and mighty people. But, she chose David, the man who could kill giants. Michal’s love for David, transcended her father’s hatred for David. Women naturally are attracted to men who command power and authority. Unfortunately, how we deal with the “falling in love” stage influences our marriage. You could love with your senses and make constructive decisions or love with your eyes and ears and make terrible mistakes. 

As we are in the season of love, you might want to check your love barometer. Are you in love for fame, for fortune, for gains, for companionship, for marriage or for other reasons? Valentine’s Day reminds us of selfless love for humanity. It is not a button for sexual immorality among the youth. If the princess falls in love with the giant slayer, the right thing needs to be done. Michal didn’t run into the arms of David. She was given to David after David had fulfilled his obligations. Don’t use Valentine’s Day as an excuse for fornication. Sex is not a gift. Nine months later, you will reap what you sow!