Taking Advantage...

Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD's battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and who are my relatives, my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife. (1 Samuel 18:17-19 ESV) Saul had promised that whoever defeated Goliath would have the king's daughter as wife. David did so, but Saul stalled on his promise, asking David to go out and win more battles "for the LORD." He knew David would not refuse to serve God. Saul also took advantage of David's middle-eastern humility and politeness. He twisted David's statement about not deserving to be the King's son-in-law as and excuse to give her to someone else in a political marriage. All through this, David continued to serve God and his country, waiting in the LORD's timing, sticking to his humble perspective. Whereas some might say Saul walked all over David, the truth is that David knew God knew best. The sons Merab had with Adriel did evil, and eventually were killed by David, while David ended up receiving a daughter who really did love him. David's victory on the battlefield only endeared him more to the people. In other words, every way Saul sought to take advantage of David backfired. The same is true of us. Whatever excuses we use to take advantage of others, because "they really don't care," will come back to haunt us. Worse yet, they really displease the God of justice who watches us all. Whom have you taken advantage of to get your own way? Was it really worth it?