1 Samuel 18 Study Notes

18:16 The fact that all Israel and Judah (see note at 11:8) loved David put Saul in a more difficult position, since the people would not understand why Saul removed someone as effective as David.

18:17 Saul tried a new strategy to rid himself of David. He proposed that David marry Saul’s oldest daughter Merab in exchange for David’s increased role as a warrior. Saul knew David’s chances of death increased the more time he spent in war; perhaps the Philistines would kill him and end Saul’s problem.

18:18 David’s reluctance came from his recognition of his lower social standing in comparison to Saul’s more influential background (9:1).

18:19 Merab eventually married and had five sons, all of whom the Gibeonites later put to death to avenge Saul’s sin against them (2Sm 21:8-9).

18:20 Michal, another daughter of Saul, loved David. The text may imply that Merab, by contrast, had no feelings for David.

18:21-22 Perhaps Saul thought Michal would be a trap because she might distract David’s attention from his military duties, or that the bride price Saul intended to request (v. 25) would put David in a life-threatening situation. Yet another possibility is that Saul thought Michal would lead David away from the Lord. First Sm 19:13 has been cited to support this, but the context is uncertain.

18:23-24 David again protested becoming the king’s son-in-law by pointing out his humble ancestry (v. 18).

18:25 To pay the bride price David had to kill a hundred Philistines.

18:26 David was pleased (lit “it was right in David’s eyes”) that Saul would put character and valor above ancestral bloodline. Before the wedding day arrived (lit “The days were not full”) is perhaps a reference to the time Saul had given David to secure the bride price.

18:27 David and his men secured twice the payment required—further evidence of David’s desire to please Saul regardless of the risk.

18:28 Saul realized (lit “Saul saw and knew”) too late what perhaps he should have realized earlier (vv. 13-14)—the Lord was with David. Further, perhaps Saul had anticipated Michal’s loyalties would remain with him, her father, but now he saw that Michal loved David. Through David’s friendship with Jonathan (vv. 1-3) and now through his marriage to Michal, he was firmly established as part of the royal family.

18:29 Tragically, jealousy and Saul’s tormented spirit nullified any family bond or loyalty his son-in-law David showed him.

18:30 Saul’s officers certainly included some of Saul’s relatives (7:55), thus heightening the tension between David and Saul. As David’s name became well known, many people probably began to speculate that he would become Saul’s successor.