1 Samuel 18

When the unknown ascend to greatness, it often leads to jealousy from those in power. That is what we see today as David continues his rise in Israelite society. Saul had been on the throne for some time by mandate of the people. The people of Israel longed for an earthly king, and Saul was chosen for this role. He was chosen mostly because he looked like he would be a good King, yet his heart was not fully committed to the Lord. As a result, Israel began to turn away from God.

As Saul lost his stature, David gained it. Not only that, but in his jealousy, Saul set the worst example possible. Meanwhile, David maintained a humble posture. He knew that his strength came from God alone. Saul looked for ways to continually have David killed, while David looked only to serve God. David developed a very close friendship with Saul’s son Jonathan as well. This friendship was a blessing and a curse. It strengthened David, but it brought more attention from Saul upon him.

20 Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 21 "I will give her to him," he thought, "so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law."

22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: "Speak to David privately and say, 'Look, the king is pleased with you, and his attendants all like you; now become his son-in-law.' "

23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known." – 1 Samuel 18:20-23

David had many things going for him at this point. He had the love of the people and of the king’s daughter. He was good friends with the king’s son, and was the rising star in Israelite society. Even in this, he maintains his humble nature before the Lord. He could have been given the king’s daughter, but instead doubled what he felt he had to do in order to earn her. We know later that David will falter before God. He will not always maintain this attitude, but that is because he is human.

David also uses this opportunity to turn Saul’s plot against him. Saul wanted to use his daughter as a way to have David killed in battle. He felt this was the easiest way to get David out of his way. Instead, David had God’s favor and conquered those Saul set against him. Naturally, this made Saul fearful. This is just further proof that God takes care of those he finds favorable.