Though Merab was to marry David, we have no indication of her feelings for him. However, we do know that her younger sister Michal fancied herself in love with David.
When Saul learned about Michal’s feelings, he recognized another opportunity to get rid of David. In 1 Samuel 18:21, Saul said, “‘Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.’ Therefore Saul said to David a second time, ‘You shall now be my son-in-law.’” (ESV)
Saul had his servants tell David that the king delighted in him and the servants loved him, so Saul wanted him to marry Michal. But David humbly responded by saying he was a poor and lightly esteemed man unworthy to marry the king’s daughter.
Not one to miss out on an opportunity to take advantage of David, Saul said that since he couldn’t afford a proper dowry, instead, he could kill a hundred Philistines. Again, Saul thought David would die by the sword of the Philistines. Instead, David fulfilled his contract, and Saul gave him Michal as his wife.
1 Samuel 18:28-29 tells us that Saul knew the Lord was with David and that Michal loved David, so Saul was scared of David and became his enemy.
At first glance, this story looks like the fairy tale. The princess fell in love with a pauper, married him, and the pauper became popular. Nowhere, though, does it say David loved Michal. Again, the princess was a pawn, used by the men in her life for their interests. And unfortunately, the love of the princess was superficial, soon to be discarded.
Read about Michal in Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:17-30
Women of Prayer Bible Study
Women of Prayer is a 10-Week Bible study about getting to know the character of God through the stories of Bible women who prayed.
Listen on Your Favorite Podcast Platform.
Get daily devotionals delivered directly to your inbox.