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Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give you as wife: only be you valiant for me, and fight Yahweh`s battles. For Saul said, Don`t let my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Gift That's a Trap
Commentators unanimously identify Saul's offer of his daughter Merab as a deceptive plot. While appearing to fulfill a promise and bestow a great honor, Saul's private intention was for David to be killed in battle by the Philistines. As one scholar puts it, Saul 'thought within himself, let not mine hand be upon him... but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.' This serves as a warning that not all generous offers are what they seem, especially when they come from a place of envy.
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1 Samuel
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4
18th Century
Presbyterian
Saul had not until now fulfilled the promise of which David had heard; nor was it unnatural that Saul should delay doing so, until the shepherd’s b…
19th Century
Anglican
Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give you to wife. —This was only the fulfillment of a much earlier promise. Th…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And Saul said to David Not in friendship and good will to him, but designing to lay a snare for him:
…
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For a long time David was kept in continual apprehension of falling by the hand of Saul, yet he persevered in meek and respectful behavior towards …
