Day 1155: The greatness of humility - 1 Samuel 18 vs 20 - 30

20-21 Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “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.” 22 And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king’s son-in-law.’” And Saul’s servants spoke those words in the ears of David. 23 And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king’s son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?”

24-27 And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.” Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. 28-29 But when Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David’s enemy continually.

30 Then the commanders of the Philistines came out to battle, and as often as they came out David had more success than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed. 1 Samuel 18:20-30 English Standard Version

Those were terrible days. The bridal price for Michal was 100 Philistine foreskins, and David doubled it. Two hundred men killed in order to satisfy King Saul's foolish demand. Yes, they were Israel's enemies, but we shouldn't read such passages with no thought to the tragedy involved. And yet, there are places in the world today where life is just as cheap. And when we think of the abortion industry, it's difficult to condemn those men of old.

But that was not the main point of this event being in the Bible!

The story is told because of Michal's love for David, and Saul's seeking to use her to bring him down. On the surface, becoming the King's son-in-law looked to the people as being a great honour. But what was David's response? (vs 23)

It showed genuine humility. David didn't consider himself worthy enough to be the King's son-in-law. Yet David's humility was small by comparison to the humility that Christ showed as He came to seek His bride. Philippians 2:5-8 says: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And, being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” The humility of Christ took Him to Calvary, and He did all that for the Church.

So Saul's schemes continued to fall short in overcoming David. When he realized how much God was with David, and even his own daughter now loved him, he feared David even more. And the more the Philistines attacked Israel, so the more victories God gave David over them, and his name became highly esteemed throughout the land.

Should we not all the more esteem Christ who has conquered sin and Satan. And should we not eagerly look forward to His coming again when the last enemy, even death itself, will be swallowed up in His victory.