Don’t Despise the One the Lord Has Exalted

In our human relationships, it is often easier for individuals to criticize rather than uplift one another. When someone finds themselves at their lowest ebb, the inclination to dissect their predicaments, laying bare their shortcomings, seems to outweigh the instinct to extend a helping hand. This critical attitude can extend to the way we perceive each other’s diverse approaches to life, as vividly illustrated in the biblical account of David and Michal.

As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart. (‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭15:29‬)

David, a man after God’s own heart, had successfully brought the ark of God to Jerusalem, marking a momentous occasion of jubilation and worship. Overflowing with genuine love and praise for the Lord, David’s exuberance knew no bounds. Dancing before the Lord with all his might, he adorned himself not in regal robes but in a linen ephod—a distinctive garment reserved for the service of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14). However, this expression of unbridled worship did not sit well with Michal, David’s first wife.

As the ark entered the City of David, Michal watched from a window and despised David in her heart. She couldn’t comprehend why the king would choose to celebrate in what she deemed an undignified manner. Michal, daughter of Saul, observed with disdain as David, in the spirit of worship, cast aside the trappings of royalty for the humility of a linen ephod (2 Samuel 6:16; 1 Chronicles 15:29). Her critical perspective reflected a failure to recognize the depth of David’s humility and the source of his exaltation.

David preferred the option of being a servant of the Lord on this great day than to put on his royal robes. This obviously didn’t go down with Michal. I Chronicles 15;29 (also in 2 Samuel 6:16) mentions that, “As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.” While David served the Lord with all joy and worship, Michal despised him.  In ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:43‬, we are told that “all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.” But “when David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” (‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭6:20‬).

Michal’s disdainful reaction stems from a fundamental misunderstanding: she had forgotten that David’s rise to kingship was a manifestation of God’s favour and grace. David’s journey from a humble shepherd, overlooked by his own father, to the giant-slaying, nation-conquering king was a testament to divine intervention. Despite the perils and trials he faced—including being targeted by Saul, losing and regaining Michal, and enduring the challenges of life on the run—David acknowledged that grace had lifted him to his exalted position.

David’s humility in worship, choosing a linen ephod over regal attire, was a profound acknowledgment of his dependence on God’s grace. His response to Michal’s rebuke revealed a deep understanding of the source of his elevation. “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honour” (2 Samuel 6:21–22).

David’s words cut to the heart of the matter, emphasizing that his worship was directed towards the One who had chosen him over Saul’s house. Michal’s failure to grasp the depth of God’s grace led her to criticize David’s worship. The consequences of her disdain were profound—Michal, daughter of Saul, remained childless until her death (2 Samuel 6:23).

The lesson from this story echoes through the corridors of our lives: we must not despise the one whom the Lord has exalted. The elevation of others, especially when facilitated by divine grace, requires our respect and understanding. Before we cast judgment on their expressions of worship or their chosen path, it is crucial to recognize that our own journey might differ, but God’s hand is at work.

In a world quick to criticize, let us learn from David and Michal’s story. May we embrace humility in recognizing God’s grace in the lives of others and refrain from despising those whom the Lord has exalted. Choose words of encouragement over criticism, and may we always be mindful that our reactions can shape the course of our destinies. In acknowledging the grace that lifts others, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of the ways God works in the lives of His chosen ones.

Michal’s disapproval of David’s approach to worship

We all have different approaches to praise and worship. While some people choose to stand and raise their hands, others just nod their heads to follow the rhythm. Some choose to just tap their feet  and others choose to clap. However, there is another group of praisers and worshippers, who combine all the other approaches. Their approach is to glorify God with all of themselves. They sing, dance, raise their hands, tap their feet, clap, turn around etc. These deep praises and worshippers, care less about the people around but are focused on raising to God a sacrifice of praise and worship. If your approach to worship is different from them you might tend to conclude that they are overdoing it. The truth is, so far as they have God’s approval, the disapproval of men does not nullify their action. Our attitude towards the things we do are mostly as a result of our temperaments. Your temperament affects your behaviour. It is important that you know your temperament so that you don’t become very critical of other people’s actions.

As we identified in the previous post, Michal  was taken from Paltiel and restored to David. They seemed to be doing well. Michal joined the other wives of David and everything was going well. David’s goal was to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem,  the capital city of his new kingdom. The first attempt failed and a man called Uzzah died in the process. “When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.” (2 Samuel 6:6‭-‬7). David was angry and afraid at the same time (2 Samuel 6: 8-9). After three months, David tried again and this time, he was successful. Imagine the joy that would bring him. All that he wanted was to have the ark in Jerusalem and that became a reality. David was a praiser and a worshipper. According to 2 Samuel 6;14-15, David wore a linen ephod, and danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. (2 Samuel 6:20‭, ‬23)

David was not just clapping, tapping or raising hands, he danced with all his might. “When David returned home to bless his household, Michal, daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” (2 Samuel 6:20). Michal’s disapproval of David’s approach to worship might have stemmed from different reasons. First it could be as a result of temperamental differences. Second, Michal’s father Saul was also a king of Israel and he might have not openly danced like the way David danced before the Lord. Thirdly, Michal might have disapproved of David dancing before the commoners (the ordinary people). The best explanation to this is the second part of 2 Samuel 6:20. Michal complained that David was going round half-naked in the full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would. This accusation is quite deep, noting that it is coming from the first wife of the king. Michal did not just show her disapproval of David, she demonstrated that the people are mere servants and their children are slaves. She utterly brought up a class system in the society. 

What Michal might not have considered was that her own father was part of the same society until God appointed him as king. She forgot that David himself was a shepherd boy before he became a giant slayer. She missed the fact that when we come before God in praise and worship, king’s and servants alike have a mandate to worship in spirit and truth. How we do that depends on our approach to praise and worship. Michal fixed her eyes on power and authority over praise and worship to God. Her father Saul demonstrated a similar attitude throughout his life to the extent of taking the role of the prophet Samuel and offering sacrifices to God. Michal loved David by all standards but she hated his way of worship. She failed to appreciate their individual differences to worship, and accept that in praise and worship, kings and servants alike have the same mandate. 

The words of Michal to David shows the lack of dignity David demonstrated when he danced together with the people. In reply, “David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.” (2 Samuel 6:21‭-‬23).

Many people across the world act like Michal. They are quite critical and condemning when prominent people demonstrate their love for God publicly. Michal knew God. She might have loved God but her understanding of praise and worship was flawed. 

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalms 150:1‭-‬6)

Michal: Given and Taken

In our previous post, David left his wife and fled from Saul. Michal was given to another man as wife although David had married her and paid her bride price. We see Saul’s manipulative hands in messing up Michal and David’s marriage. As we continue navigating the life of Michal, I believe you have learnt some lessons: the red flags to avoid in making crucial decisions and the need to go allow the people around us to have peace not trouble. So, Saul did not last, his evil led to his early demise. Beside the hatred of David, Saul was also disobedient to God (1 Samuel 15:22). For about 8 years, Saul was busily chasing David in and out of Israel. He was so obsessed with getting David to die that he left his home whenever he heard David was at a place. Instead of focusing his energy on building the nation, Saul was just chasing David. 

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 3:14)

In a matter of time, Saul went to war with the Philistines. Saul and his sons died in the battle with the Philistines: “The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.” (1 Samuel 31:2‭-‬4). When David heard of the death of Saul, he mourned for him and Jonathan. Within these years of David’s exile from Saul, David had married other women and had children with them. However, when Saul died, David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth with this demand: 
“Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.” (2 Samuel 3:14). 

This might sound a bit absurd. Michal had been taken from David and given to another. Now, David was demanding to take Michal back again. Was Michal consulted even before being given to another? The value of womanhood in the time of David was clearly displayed here. Obviously, David was rightfully married to Michal and they did not divorce. Saul forcefully sacked David from his home and gave Michal to another man. The new man might have considered himself the rightful husband to Michal. He received her from her father. David had a similar argument too. Saul messed up Michal’s marriages and made her a price tag for his evil schemes. Paltiel, the new husband of Michal, was not as physically strong as David. The competition for Michal was on the level of power and ownership. However, both David and Paltiel could claim ownership of Michal but David was more powerful. 

The emotional trauma and the physical pain caused by Saul’s schemes might have laid a huge burden on Michal. Ish-Bosheth was already scared for his life. Abner, the head of Israel’s army, seemed to be on the side of David. In order to save his own throne from David’s strong influence, “Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her [Michal] taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish” (2 Samuel 3:15). Paltiel had no choice. He couldn’t fight David nor Ish-Bosheth. All he could do was to weep. He followed his wife weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back (2 Samuel 3:16). The story of Michal is hardly a topic for preaching but her life presents different dimensions of power, and the quest to hold on to power. Saul, David and Ish-Bosheth all had power to change the narrative of Michal. Paltiel was not as strong and powerful as the other men. On the other hand, Michal was the trophy woman. She was given to David and then taken again. She was given to Paltiel and then taken again. Finally, she was given back to David. Unfortunately, Michal could not do anything to change the situation. 

If we consider this as a mere Biblical history, we have missed the bigger picture. Powerful systems and powerful men still operate on the shoulders of the weak and vulnerable. Other than marriage, many women still face oppression, stigmatization and abuse from men. Interestingly, even in the presence of laws and regulations, some evil people still hide and commit atrocities against the weak and the vulnerable people in society. God’s love is for all people and He expects us to love each other without putting other people in jeopardizing state. 

More importantly, we should consider working together with people for a defined goal. Don’t use people for selfish reasons. Even the weak and vulnerable are still loved by God. 

Michal: Given to another

Marriage is beautiful but it is not a bed of roses. You will not always have butterflies in your stomach. You would have to be intentional about making your marriage work. Couples need to have a realistic plan and with God on your side, even if there are unfavourable times, you would still sail through. In God’s original plan, a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). This is the leaving and cleaving part of marriage. Whenever married couples are manipulated and controlled by parents, we lose the value of leaving and cleaving. We don’t abandon our parents after marriage, we should set barriers as to how far they can be involved in our marital homes. If you require your parent’s permission before taking important decisions with your spouse, you have not fully become one flesh with your spouse. You need godly and sound advice from your parents but ultimately, you make your own decisions with your spouse. What if a parent decides to rip the marital home  of the child apart? What if a parent is an authority that is feared and tries to wrongfully use that authority to mess up the marriage?

The fear of many young men from continents such as Africa and Asia is marrying into extremely rich and powerful homes. Even if the men have done well for themselves, they fear being manipulated by their in-laws. David married a princess of Israel. He knew the implications of marrying a princess of Israel. When Saul made the proposal that David marry his daughter, “David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” (1 Samuel 18:18). When Saul’s attendants told David that the king likes David and that David should marry the king’s daughter, 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” (1 Samuel 18:23). David was right at that time, it was not an easy thing to marry the daughter of king Saul. Michal, David’s wife, loved David by all standards but her love was not enough to save her marriage. King Saul hated David and would not rest until he drove David away from the palace to the wilderness. 

But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim. (1 Samuel 25:44)

Michal’s marriage didn’t last because of family intrusion. Her own father messed up her marriage. His strong passion to kill David caused a split between the couple. Michal’s dream of spending her lifetime with David was stalled. She had no option at that time because her father was so powerful and she was powerless. Even her brother Jonathan, who supported David, had to tell David to run for his life. Saul was bent on evil. Did Saul ever realize the harm he might have inflicted to Michal and David because of his wickedness? Maybe he didn’t care about their happiness. All that Saul wanted was power and authority. He felt the presence of David was an indication that his kingdom would be taken from him and given to David. On the faithful day that Saul sent men to kill David, Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped (1 Samuel 19:12). David roamed about for a long time as Saul kept hunting for him. Michal was given to another man. In 1 Samuel 25:44, Saul gives his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltiel, son of Laish, who was from Gallim. 

The height of Saul’s intrusive behaviour was taking Michal and giving her to another man. Michal’s marriage to David is broken by Saul. He brings in another man to occupy the position of David. Will David let Michal go? Will Michal ever return to David? The Bible has answers to all these questions. We shall continue this story in our next post.

If you are in a position of power, don’t be manipulative like Saul. Allow the people around you to enjoy their marriages. If you are currently experiencing what Michal and David went through, I pray that God comes through for you. If you are at a standstill and want to know if a relationship with a person from a powerful background is worth it, do you check but most importantly, commit it to God and wait for Him to guide you. If you see potential marks or red flags along the way, don’t ignore them. It better to marry from a humble home and grow your marriage to a world-class model marriage than to marry from the crème de la crème and become a nobody in your own marriage. 

Michal: Married to the enemy of your father

The discussion on love is a daily conversation that goes on within our world. More specifically, during the month of February, the talk on love takes a different purview. In February, the celebration of Valentine’s Day is a reminder to some married couples to take a special day to celebrate their love. To other married couples, Valentine’s Day does not count at all. Some single people go through extreme lengths to have  ungodly celebration. Yet, others stay home just to lament their loneliness. I am not sure which category you are in today. Irrespective of how you feel on this Valentine’s Day, know that the greatest love ever has already been shown to you. Our all time favourite memory verse in John 3:16 should be a perfect reminder for you: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” You are so much loved. 

So imagine celebrating Valentine’s Day with your spouse who happens to be the worst enemy of your father. How would you feel knowing that your father is searching for your spouse to kill? This might sound absurd but one woman’s husband was in danger and the enemy was her own father. Our discussion on Michal revealed that she loved David and because of her love for him, her father decided to use it to trap David. Michal, the princess of Israel married David, the giant slayer. The marriage had barely taken ground when Michal’s father, king Saul, began to issue a death threat on David. What was David’s crime? He killed the giant that tormented Saul and his people and the women sang for David, accrediting him with ten thousand and Saul with a thousand. Therefore, David did not do anything wrong to his father-in-law. Michal might have been worried about her father’s hatred for David. If there was any celebration close to Valentine’s Day on their day, Michal and David would have celebrated it in fear. 

Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. (1 Samuel 19:11‭-‬12)

Saul was not satisfied to see David living.  He was determined to kill him irrespective of the fact that his own daughter was married to David. In his desperation to kill David, “Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head. When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, “He is ill.” Then Saul sent the men back to see David and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him.” But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats’ hair.” (1 Samuel 19:11‭-‬16). Michal’s pain in marriage was initiated by her own father’s discontentment for David. Michal never planned to be married to her father’s biggest enemy but she became a prey for her father’s obsession. 

Thankfully, there was no Valentine’s Day to remind Michal of her loneliness but she would still have felt pain and rejection. Her heart would have been shattered and her pillows would have been filled with tears. This is actually the reality for most people. Instead of celebrating life on Valentine’s Day, they are reminded of the pain, the loss and the emptiness they feel. It is not wrong to express our feelings but we should also be mindful that the environment on Valentine’s Day is a breeding ground for wicked people. Don’t let your fears and worry trap you into a meaningless one-day or one-night stand that will permanently damage you. Don’t allow the world’s standard of love to sway you from God’s love. Even if no human being sends a text or calls to express their love for you, know that your father in heaven loves you with an everlasting love. He has called you by name and he will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Michal loved David but her own father drove away her husband. Maybe you have loved but that love did not last. Know that the lover of your soul has not stopped loving you. His biggest Valentine’s Day gift to you, is the gift of Salvation. As you desire to seek first your heavenly Father’s kingdom and its righteousness, He will satisfy you with good things. Remember, even if you don’t receive what you want, He will always give you what you need. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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!