Definition: And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 19:17. It's a really dramatic and important part of the story of David and his time in Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: Saul is attacking Michal. Saul was a king who was trying to harm Michal, who was the wife of King David. Saul was David's enemy. Michal is deceiving him. Michal tricked Saul into sending her away! She told him she wanted to go, and he dismissed her. What happened next? Saul’s reaction: Saul became furious. He was deeply hurt by Michal’s betrayal. He then demanded that Michal not kill him. Putting it Together - The Core of the Verse: This verse describes a moment where Saul is experiencing a very intense, emotional response to this betrayal. He's feeling incredibly angry and determined. He’s essentially saying: "You've deceived me! You’ve sent me away, and now you want to kill me? I will not let you." What it tells us about Saul: His anger and pride: The verse shows that Saul was experiencing a powerful surge of anger. He wasn't just upset; he felt like he had been wronged. His determination: He’s taking this situation very seriously – he’s determined to not let Michal escape. This is a key moment in his character development as the story unfolds. Important Note: It’s important to remember that this passage comes from a very dangerous time in David's life. Saul was struggling with issues of pride and ambition, and Michal’s actions were a major challenge for him. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of this passage within the larger story of David's life? Discuss the significance of Saul’s reaction?