1Sa 18:24
The servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke.

Saul brought forth a plan.
A plan that would enable David to “earn” status…and resources…
A plan that Saul hoped would result in his goal - the fall of David.

1Sa 18:25
Saul then said, “Thus you shall say to David,
‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines,
to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’”
Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Saul simply wanted a dowry of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
They Philistines would not give these up without a fight.

Saul presented it as taking vengeance on the king’s enemies.
We know there was more to it.

So, what did David do?

1Sa 18:26-27
When his servants told David these words,
it pleased David to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the days had expired

David rose up and went, he and his men, and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines. Then David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife.

It pleased David to become son-in-law.
He had a means now.

David immediately went with his men and retrieved 200 foreskins.
Yes, double the amount requested.

Saul gave David MIchal as wife.
All is well, no?

Look at how Saul reacted…

1Sa 18:28-29
When Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal,
Saul’s daughter, loved him,

then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.

Saul saw the Lord was with David.
Saul knew the Lord was with David.
Saul saw/knew his daughter loved David.

Saul then became even more afraid…remember he was already fear-filled.

The result.
Saul was David’s enemy continually.

Thus is the way of the ruler without the Lord.
Thus is the way of the religionist without the Lord and His Spirit.

Be not as Saul.

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