Monday, March 16, 2015

Bad Girls of the Bible: Michal

"In the meantime, Saul's daughter Michal had fallen in love with David, and Saul was delighted when he heard about it.  "Here's another chance to see him killed by the Philistines!" Saul said to himself.  But to David he said, "I have a way for you to become my son-in-law after all!"  28.When the king realized how much the Lord was with David and how much Michal loved him, he became even more afraid of him, and he remained David's enemy for the rest of his life."  1 Samuel 18:20-21, 28-29

This is one of those situations where I think, "poor Michal" (MEE-kal)!  She was in love with the most amazing guy on the planet!!  By all accounts, David would be the near-perfect man even in today's society!  He was smart, good-looking, humble, kind, trustworthy, popular, strong, courageous, he could fight, dance, write, & sing!   And he was a man after God's own heart!  (Acts 13:22)  Could a woman ask for anything more in a husband?!  He was the "Complete Package"!

But, that's where the fairy tale ends.  As we read Michal's story, we can try to guess why, in one breath she saved David's life while slandering him in a lie she told her father.  That's so twisted, I don't even know where to begin!  Once again, Michal's story is scattered and incomplete; she is a character in David's story, so we don't get her point of view, her thoughts, or her feelings.  What we can do is make a "best guess" based on her actions and reactions.   Usually I like to read a character's story for myself directly from my Bible, but Michal is only mentioned here & there from 1 Samuel 14  through 2 Samuel 6 and again (an important) mention of her in 1 Chronicles 15:29.  It's always a good idea to read the whole story, but in this chapter, I think reading the author's excerpts and then reading the Study Guide questions found in the back of the book, will serve you just as well.

One way to further explore Michal's situation and choices is to compare and contrast her to her brother Jonathan.  This is where reading the whole story comes in handy.  He and David were best friends; they loved each other (note that there is no mention of David loving Michal).  Jonathan was put in nearly the same situation as Michal, yet he made very different choices.

Think in ink as you look at this pair of siblings and their relationship with David.  What is the difference in their responses?  Why do you think that is?  While we may be tempted to say that Michal was stuck between a rock and a hard place because she was a woman, remember other women have made better choices in similar situations.  How could she have done things differently?

What did you think about the fictional story of Michele, Dave, & Phil?  Our author has made updating & fictionalizing our Bible stories look easy, but this one seemed to be a bit of a challenge.  I didn't quite see how the characters really matched Michal, David, and Paltiel, though in the end, the results were the same.  And maybe that's a good lesson in and of itself.  Our lives don't often parallel those in the Bible, but we can still look to them for guidance.  We may not face exactly the same situations, but we do have the same choices.  We can choose, at any point, to have a heart for God.  I really like what Ms. Higgs says at the end of the section, "What Lessons Can We Learn from Michal?":  "Bad Girls blame their situations.  Good Girls rise above them." (pg. 213)

I look forward to sharing and exploring this story with you.  Click here to leave comments, questions, thoughts & reactions in the Comment section.

Your Partner in Ministry,

Shelly
warrior

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."  Proverbs 16:24


No comments: