Evil Intentions...

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?” (1 Samuel 18:20-23 ESV)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?” 1 Samuel 18:20-23 ESV) Saul wanted to give David a good thing: a wife who loved him. This was especially good, since he had already deprived David of another daughter he had promised him. But good things can come with evil intentions. The promise was a snare, as he hoped David would be emotional and irrational, and take unnecessary risks. But David does not respond that way. He continues to respond with humility and with a consistency that will make him a great king. Do we ever act like Saul? Sometimes we would "look bad" if we were to deny someone something good, so we allow them to have it, or hope they get it, only to choke on it. We want to look good at all cost, and seeing someone else fall and fail only makes us look better. The human heart is desperately wicked. May we truly bless those around us today, desiring what is best for them, and sincerely hoping they get it.