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Patriarchs and Prophets
was, “Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel,
that I should be son-in-law to the king?” The monarch manifested his
insincerity by wedding the princess to another.
An attachment for David on the part of Michal, Saul’s youngest
daughter, afforded the king another opportunity to plot against his
rival. Michal’s hand was offered the young man on condition that
evidence should be given of the defeat and slaughter of a specified
number of their national foes. “Saul thought to make David fall by the
hand of the Philistines,” but God shielded His servant. David returned
a victor from the battle, to become the king’s son-in-law. “Michal
Saul’s daughter loved him,” and the monarch, enraged, saw that his
plots had resulted in the elevation of him whom he sought to destroy.
He was still more assured that this was the man whom the Lord had
said was better than he, and who should reign on the throne of Israel in
his place. Throwing off all disguise, he issued a command to Jonathan
and to the officers of the court to take the life of the one he hated.
Jonathan revealed the king’s intention to David and bade him
conceal himself while he would plead with his father to spare the life
of the deliverer of Israel. He presented before the king what David had
done to preserve the honor and even the life of the nation, and what
terrible guilt would rest upon the murderer of the one whom God had
used to scatter their enemies. The conscience of the king was touched,
and his heart was softened. “And Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he
shall not be slain.” David was brought to Saul, and he ministered in
his presence, as he had done in the past.
Again war was declared between the Israelites and the Philistines,
and David led the army against their enemies. A great victory was
gained by the Hebrews, and the people of the realm praised his wisdom
and heroism. This served to stir up the former bitterness of Saul against
him. While the young man was playing before the king, filling the
palace with sweet harmony. Saul’s passion overcame him, and he
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hurled a javelin at David, thinking to pin the musician to the wall; but
the angel of the Lord turned aside the deadly weapon. David escaped
and fled to his own house. Saul sent spies that they might take him as
he should come out in the morning, and put an end to his life.
Michal informed David of the purpose of her father. She urged him
to flee for his life, and let him down from the window, thus enabling
him to make his escape. He fled to Samuel at Ramah, and the prophet,