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1 Samuel 19:8–17

So Michal let David down through a window. And he went and fled and escaped (v. 12).

Thanks to Jonathan’s mediation, Saul’s rage against David is eased, at least for a time. But all that is required to reignite his wrath is yet another military triumph by David. After David routs the Philistines “with a mighty blow,” he returns to play his harp to ease Saul’s distress. But as the king sits brooding over David’s latest success, his jealousy overcomes him. Forgetting his oath (19:6), he once again tries to strike David with a spear. However, in God’s providence, David once again escapes. Perhaps thinking this latest attempt on his life is due only to another passing fit of madness on Saul’s part, David simply goes to his home. But Saul’s murderous malice is not mollified; rather, it now becomes implacable. Determined to finish off his enemy, Saul sets men to watch David’s house and kill him at dawn.

In yesterday’s study, we saw Saul’s son, Jonathan, interceding for David. Now we find Saul’s daughter, Michal, helping David to escape her father. Matthew Henry brings out the irony of this divine providence, writing, “Michal was me instrument of [David’s deliverance], whom Saul gave him to be a snare to him, but she proved his protector and helper.” Somehow Michal gets word of the plot against David and warns him to flee before morning. She then helps him escape from the house via a window, the entrances presumably being watched. Finally, Michal deceives Saul’s men to slow their pursuit of her husband. She places “an image” in David’s bed so that she can tell Saul’s men that David is sick and, if asked, show them his sleeping form. This deception fools Saul’s men for a time and is discovered only when the king sends the men back with orders to bring David to him, bed and all. When Saul vents his frustration against her, Michal lies again, insinuating that she tried to prevent David from leaving but that he threatened her life if she did not let him go.

Michal’s ruse raises two questions. First, is she justified in lying? Her devotion to David is commendable, but her lie is a failure to trust divine providence, which has guarded David well. Second, what is the “image”? It is surprising to read of an apparent idol under David’s roof; perhaps Michal practiced elements of Canaanite idolatry.

David now begins a life on the run, fleeing constantly from Saul. This existence will continue until Saul’s death.

Coram Deo Living before the face of God

God is sovereignly frustrating Saul’s evil designs—even his children are not on his side. Though the king will create much misery for David, God will not allow him to succeed in his ultimate goal. Scripture assures us that all wicked opposition to God’s plan will similarly fail. Trust God to punish the wicked and bless the faithful.


For Further Study
  • Ps. 33:10
  • Prov. 21:5, 12
  • Dan. 11:27

    Jonathan the Mediator

    Behold the Man

    Keep Reading "I Am God, and There Is No Other:" God's Incommunicable Attributes

    From the May 2003 Issue
    May 2003 Issue