Topical Bible: Lying: Michal

◄ Lying: Michal ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Michal, the daughter of King Saul and the first wife of David, is a notable figure in the Bible whose actions include instances of deception. Her account is primarily found in the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Michal's life and actions provide insight into the complexities of human behavior, particularly in the context of loyalty, love, and survival.

Biblical Account

Michal first appears in the biblical narrative in 1 Samuel 18, where she is described as loving David. Saul, aware of her affection, uses it to his advantage, hoping to ensnare David. Saul offers Michal to David as a wife, requiring a dangerous bride price, intending to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. However, David succeeds, and Michal becomes his wife.

Michal's Deception

One of the most significant instances of Michal's deception occurs in 1 Samuel 19. Saul, consumed by jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor upon him, seeks to kill David. Michal learns of her father's plan and warns David, helping him escape through a window. To deceive Saul's messengers, Michal places an idol in the bed, covering it with a garment and goat's hair at the head, to make it appear as though David is ill in bed.

When Saul confronts Michal about her actions, she lies, saying, "He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’” (1 Samuel 19:17). This lie serves to protect herself from her father's wrath and to justify her actions in aiding David's escape.

Analysis

Michal's actions can be viewed through various lenses. Her deception is a protective measure, both for David and herself. In a time when women had limited power and agency, Michal's decision to lie reflects her resourcefulness and loyalty to her husband. However, it also places her in a morally complex situation, as she must navigate her loyalty to her father, the king, and her husband, David.

The use of an idol in her deception is noteworthy, as it raises questions about the presence of such objects in her household, which may reflect the religious syncretism present in Israel at the time. This detail, however, is not the focus of the narrative but rather serves to highlight the urgency and creativity of Michal's actions.

Later Life and Legacy

Michal's relationship with David becomes strained over time. After David becomes king, Michal is returned to him, but their relationship is marked by tension. In 2 Samuel 6, Michal criticizes David for his exuberant worship as the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem, leading to a rift between them. The text notes that Michal had no children until the day of her death, which some interpret as a divine judgment or a reflection of the brokenness in her relationship with David.

Michal's account is a complex tapestry of love, loyalty, and deception. Her actions, particularly her lie to protect David, illustrate the difficult choices faced by individuals in the biblical narrative, where personal relationships and divine purposes often intersect in challenging ways.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 19:14
And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Image of Self.
... his marriage with Michal, the daughter of King Saul ... Let no man call me a just man,
I divided the land of Mephibosheth with his false, lying slave Ziba, because ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lx the image of self.htm

The King.
... He first flames out in fierce wrath upon the lying Amalekite, who had hurried ... temptation,
in making the restoration of his long-lost wife Michal the condition ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

2 Sam. 23:4-5. Without Clouds.
... such as Joab and Ahithophel, " trials from a wife, even that Michal who once ... The
only certain thing to be predicted about the babe lying in his cradle is this ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xiv 2 sam 23 4-5.htm

The Conversion of Zaccheus
... laugh at him as he ran along, and in the language of Michal, Saul's daughter ... will
go on from strength to strength, break through every difficulty lying in their ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the conversion of zaccheus.htm

The History of Saul
... And Michal answered to Saul and said: He said to me: Let me go or I shall ... and pillage
them that were dead, and they found Saul and his three sons lying in the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Chastisements.
... to gain access to the sick chamber, has been conspicuous by his lying words of ... Did
David remember how the husband from whom he had torn Michal had followed her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... The Affection And Care Of Jonathan And The Contrivances Of His Wife Michal: And
How ... CHAPTER 9. How Jadon The Prophet Was Persuaded By Another Lying Prophet And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Sower.
... all the avenues to our hearts and so leave that seed lying on the ... Michal, his daughter,
better acquainted, probably, with the kingly airs of his later than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

The First Kings.
... already several wives, as was customary in those times; and among them was Michal,
whom he ... the case of the two women, one of whom, in her sleep, lying upon her ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... [20] What is meant by Saul's lying down naked ... ch.8. sect.9; and when Saul's daughter,
[but David's wife,] Michal, laughed at David's dancing before the ark, 2 ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm