Sneaky Speaking...

Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. Saul thought, “Let me give her to him, that she may be a snare for him and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, “You shall now be my son-in-law.” And Saul commanded his servants, “Speak to David in private and say, ‘Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now then become the king's son-in-law.’” And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a little thing to become the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and have no reputation?” And the servants of Saul told him, “Thus and so did David speak.” Then Saul said, “Thus shall you say to David, ‘The king desires no bride-price except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, that he may be avenged of the king's enemies.’” Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law. Before the time had expired, David arose and went, along with his men, and killed two hundred of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, which were given in full number to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife. But when Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, Saul was even more afraid of David. So Saul was David's enemy continually. (1 Samuel 18:20-29 ESV)
Saul's method of communication was less than moral.  It was a method preferred by many: speak behind their back, and hope it catches up to them.  Count on gossip.  Verbal manipulation. He counted on David communicating the same way.  The first time, David did not take the bait at all. He refuses to speak the same way. He forthrightly answers in humility that he is not worthy to marry the king's daughter.  This too Saul hopes to use against him.  But it backfires.  Sneaky speech has a way of coming back on you.  David succeeded in winning the hand of Michal and the heart of Israel. Honest and humble speech - that's the way of the Godly.  May we watch what we say today.