Michal’s Stratagem
Like the true-hearted wife she was, Michal, when left alone after David’s flight to shelter herself from her father’s wrath, did not think first of her own danger. She wanted to secure her husband from pursuit. So she made use of an “image,” apparently a life size figure of some god, the presence of which in Saul’s household hints strongly at his waning faith in the Lord. This image she arranged in David’s bed; and, when Saul’s messengers came for her husband, she pointed to the figure and told them David was too ill to go with them. When they reported this to Saul, the fierce king bade them drag the sick man to him on the bed, that he might slay him with his own hand. When they came to do this, the trick was discovered; but so much time had been gained that David was safe.
Michal, being confronted by her angry father, escaped his wrath by further deception. Though strong for those she loved, she was not strong in truth for truth’s own sake. She pretended that she would have hindered David, but that he had terrified her with threats. “He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?” So Michal remained dwelling in favor with her father, a fact which afterward brought her to much sorrow.
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