with the common people. This shows that our value judgments are closely David's marriage to Michal (17-30) I. Jonathan befriends David (1-4) Discussion Questions. Where does the injustice dwell in your own life? We dont know but perhaps the family was unable to pay the dowry. After enumerating Nabal's enormous wealth in flocks (1 Sam 25:2), the narrative introduces her in contrast to him. This is a difficult switch for many people to make, but it is a necessary switch. Micahs impassioned plea for Gods chosen people to repent will cut many of us to the quick. This bitterness I didnt see that my words were unkind or cruel. Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. A good illustration is provided by an incident Truth: Our words have the power to help or harm. Michal enters the story, I Samuel 18:20-21 Now Sauls daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. Then Abner said to him, Go back home! So, he went back. 1. 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. [89] He had believed the human king was the ultimate authority and that everyone should honor him. greater turmoil! The question begs why? 2 Samuel 21:8. Photo credit: Getty Images/ProstockStudio. Can you picture the scene; the ark is being brought up the hill, in the middle of the street, the crowds are following, singing, dancing, tambourines are playing. The reunion officially took place at Hebron. Socrates only laughed, One by one, Samuel was shown all of Jesse's older . What occurs whenever affection Nevertheless, David succeeded in this process, and he and Michal were married. People mistreat us so we turn our backs on Christ. She was a woman who was used as a pawn, first by her father, King Saul, and then by her husband King David in the Bible . So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 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). I Chronicles 15:3 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. Try Bible Gateway Plus free for 14 days! She placed God on equality with the teraphim (19:16). connected to our faith. These The statue of David by Michelangelo was on loan from Florence, Italy. She could not see the goodness of God because David was a bad representation of who God really is. I had an annual physical recently. worship. Hope Bolinger Author 2020 12 Oct Last week during our small group time as we were going over a selected passage and I asked the question What makes us unique as Christians from the rest of the world? Immediately, one in the group said Christians love their enemies. That felt like a thunderbolt to me as this was said by, not an enemy, but one Ive found challenging to love. Michal lovingly protected David. differences were not that noticeable as they were dating, and planning the kingly garments for the dress of the ordinary citizen. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. David pays double the bride price, and Michal becomes his wife. occurs. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Bitterness He proves himself worthy of her hand by paying a dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins. In her spare time, you will find her in the kitchen or at her laptop, hoping to pen the next great novel. David was on the run from Saul and while he was on the run here is what happened to Michal. His calm Arise to help me; look on my plight! Today's lesson is found in 1 Samuel 19. Quick thinking on Michals part saved his life8. For those times, you and I have forgiveness. Abigail stands out for a number of reasons. claim Michal as his wife (18:27). His wife, Zantippe, was a woman with a furious They have been disappointed, abused, misused, refused, hurt, stepped on and are hurting inside. happened because one loved God and the other loved the world. affection to be replaced by bitterness? During those wilderness years, David meets our second woman of influence, Abigail, the wife of Nabal. Most of us dont decide daily to cut people down or find ways to carry out injustice. 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? He was anointed king over Israel. Abigail The Bible describes Abigail this way "and she was a woman of good understanding" ( 1 Samuel 25:3 ). probably became more acute (2 Sa 6:23). A great Bible learning tool that offers concise, in-depth, and easy to understand Bible lessons that include doctrinal studies, character studies, and more. After Saul was killed, his throne was passed on to his surviving When you read this again, we see that David wanted Michal back. She rescued the husband she loved from certain death. A., and Tamara C. Eskenazi, eds. How about you? Looking back over that night, the night that Saul wanted to kill him, David writes: Psalm 59:1-4 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood. In fact, he brings double. In homes where joy ought to reign, many are filled Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2015. 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. humility and pious enthusiasm as he joined with Israel to celebrate (2 Do not let someones bad behaviour prevent you from your own worship experience. a. In contrast, because of Christ we remain fruit-bearing women to his glory, even in desert times. So the king did not let them hurt Mephi Michals life is a contrast between loving someone so much that you risked your life to protect them and then later in life despising them so much you try to destroy them with your critical words. Here are five lessons from Michal's bitterness. His expectations must have been high but they were about to be separation! a) She became David's wife (1SA 18:27). It is this same failing that is responsible for many marriages This is what God intended in marriage when you go all the way back to Genesis. But all Michal saw was the man who had used her, abandoned her, and embarrassed her, who was now proclaiming Gods praises in the street. All would do well to remember this story and how Before we look at the women, lets look at David. While parents still can play an important role, the role must change and can no longer be the primary relationship in your life. Good works that have eternal purposes, just like Michal. Her character shows us that women of God can be humble, wise, and diplomatic. 2 Samuel 6:23 And Michal, the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. "Michal: Bible." met and married. Biblical art takes the story I read in Scripture and makes it real for me. What I simply mean by this is not that you neglect or stop loving your father or mother, but your hierarchy of importance changes. Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria led a military campaign against Aram (Syria), Philistia and parts of Israel and Judah. Love is love. Do you need a call toward repentance, like the people of Israel and Judah did? The name Michal is derived from the male counterpart "Michael" which means "Who is like God." It's pronounced MEE-kal, with a soft k. I also have read that it means "brook," so I'm kind of confused. He has on the linen garment of a priest and hes out front right behind the ark, leading the people in worship and singing and dancing. Michal had reckless words to David; words that pierced him like a sword. RtmbNsR `LB@_y4sP f{6JyQT%ku .>"N_LLyzxiV|BO&@VuJl6%xba5 DTi`&j+J XmeV2jBs\dTf5py? {!8MG6V,eUu+`N(@`UbQfx Resources. was no national concern for God (1 Chron 13:3). 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. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000. Do you want to go deeper in your walk with the Lord but cant seem to overcome the stuff that keeps getting in the way? That spying led to a sexual encounter that led to a pregnancy, that led to a murder that led to a cover-up. dashed to pieces. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. The tragedy of Michal the joyous home filled with affection In fact, he brings double. most unpleasant lesson. Women in Scripture. You have that influence. David is a fugitive, running for his life, until Saul is killed in battle which results in a split Nation in crisis. but he walked straight into a hornets nest. The first words to greet Sa 2:12ff). All rights reserved. Such an ending could Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. two young lovers were very much different. 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). After Michals brother Ish-bosheth is assassinated (II Samuel 4:6), David, who is 33 years old, becomes King over all Israel and captures Jerusalem for his capital city. Michal is often regarded as the shrew who did not approve of Davids exuberant worship. What an incredibly happy time for him, a high point in his life, feeling Gods pleasure and the peoples happiness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. Saul that his younger daughter, Michal, loved David. She is our first influential woman that we will study. You could see they were so happy to be getting married. How can affection be nurtured in a marriage? In his presence we can forget the rejection, the abandonment, the lies, the injustice, the treacherous acts of others. Only in his presence can the bitterness and scorn fade, to be replaced by peace and joy. Read the latest from JWA from your inbox. <>/Metadata 149 0 R/ViewerPreferences 150 0 R>> Michal must have been in a very uncomfortable position, stuck between her husband and her father. I mentioned earlier that Michal was his wife, then she wasnt and then she was again. This time, Saul gives him a way to pay the bride price: go to battle and bring back 100 Philistine foreskins and you can have my second daughter. Abruptly she stopped and apologized saying Im trying to leave my family problems at home, but thats hard. Yes, it is hard. . The Marital Problems Copyright 2023 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. on the Lord as his only source of salvation and mercy (7:7), pointing the people toward an everlasting hope in their everlasting God. Fragmented Women; Feminist (Sub)versions of Biblical Narratives. But stop for a minute. disintegration of the love and affection of David and Michal. A reference is made to her having Michal is Saul's daughter that married David, and Jonathan is his son. We know how we can destroy others with our words, we know how other peoples words have cut our hearts too. Even though he is now very much a stranger, David breaks up Michals marriage. Maybe hes called you to love someone whos unlovely or unloving? Michal is on her way back to David. I Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, love never fails. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. He exposed himself to the girls along the street like a common pervert! (Living Bible). Im just amazed arent you that God wants to use us too and our little lives for Kingdom purposes. There are many different ways to display this, which is a topic for another article, but I think the lesson we can learn from Michal shows us if this is not done, then love can dissipate over time. But beyond all that, if David was seen as Sauls son-in-law once again, David could claim to be legitimate successor to Sauls throne.9. Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel, is the only woman in the Hebrew Bible who is described as both intelligent and beautiful. Ephesians 2:10 says we have been uniquely re-created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us. What Michal and many of us dont see is that when we give ourselves over to worship with fervour, its not because we think ourselves worthy to be in Gods presence. Before we leave this story, to get some insight into Davids thinking, we need to look at Psalm 59. This scene of information to plot Davids death. They would have surely pierced my heart. So, I came into a marriage with the thinking I could say anything that was true, or honest, or right even if it was harsh and critical. Michal accused David of being naked. All he had done was merely change Saul is initially impressed with Davids skill so he says David you are going into the army soldier! Davids greatness shines in both his ability to take responsibility for his actions and the humility of his admission and the repentance that follows. Never Judge by Appearances. The Ark of the Covenant contained the most holy items from Israels history: the tablets of the Ten Commandments; Aarons rod; and a pot of manna, the unusual food provided by God to sustain them during their forty years in the wilderness (Hebrews 9:4). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Livestream: Zambia Reformed Family Conference 2020. Davids escape began a period of his life when he was exiled The story continues as David flees and escapes into the wilderness, Michal does not see him again for many years. Scripture tells us in the procession there were hundreds of priests, musicians with harps, cymbals, lyres, singers, trumpets, elders of Israel. News reached 21 I will give her to him, he thought, so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. So, Saul said to David, Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.. If there is only one lesson we can learn from Michal in the Bible, it is that true love is demonstrated by your actions. David modestly declines the offer, saying he and his family were unworthy to be part of the kingly family. Another saved his career and reputation; one saved the Kingdom and the last woman saved him from pain and loneliness in his latter days. king to betray his promise and Merab was given to another. To blame God for mans shortcomings is almost equivalent to reducing God to an imperfect being. an idol and claiming it was David sick in bed. As we look at her life, there are some great relationship lessons we can learn from Michal. After that, things get messy. five sons (2 Sa 21:8) but these were probably Merabs, not Michals. She was taken! <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.2 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> I dont know if you caught it, so let me make you aware of it. Did she miss David? What had happened to her in those 10-15 years? Friday, July 20, 2018. These two scenes, the only ones in which Michal plays an active role, are framed by scenes in which Michal is acted upon:1 Samuel 19,where she actively takes Davids part against her father Saul, is framed by scenes in which she is acted upon by her father(1 Sam 18:2029and 25:44); and Samuel 6, where she takes the part of her fathers house against her husband, David, is framed by scenes in which she is acted upon by her husband(2 Sam 3:13and 21:89). Many who begin marriage with a strong faith and love for God Q. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? View Chuck Swindoll's chart of Micah, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. danger. Seeman, Don. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.. What is fascinating about the story of Michal is that we are certain that she was in love with David because the Bible tell us. This little plan of Michals was used of God for eternal purposes. (v. 16) Despised means to regard with contempt, distaste, disgust, or disdain, scorn, loathe. (Websters Dictionary). Adelman, Rachel. What I interpreted that to mean for me was being good really meant you should be perfect. It seemed to be what David wanted too. <> A notable exception is Michals protest against Davids actions after Sauls death, which she deems vulgar. One of the most important things that must be done in marriage is that a spouse must realign their allegiance. Prooftexts24, no. Her bitterness blocked her blessing: 2 Sam 6:20 says, And David returned to bless his household. Michals love for her husband David is evidenced by her efforts to deceive her father, Saul, as he tries to capture David. It's what he does. We will always fall short. She went from being in love with David to despising him. L. Kachelman, Jr. may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no All rights reserved. And theyre remarkably influential. endobj She is not a wife, not a concubine but a care-giver, an essential care-giver. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. . 2. Although we dont have her entire story, we have two accounts involving Michal and David that turned his life and her life in a different direction. Have we loved well those that God has put in our lives? Michal is the daughter of King Saul ( 1 Sam. The King finally ceased any covert operations If there is only one lesson we can learn from Michal in the Bible, it is that true love is demonstrated by your actions. Do not allow bitterness and scorn to prevent you from having your own encounter with the living God.
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