20 Now Michal , Saul's daughter , loved David . When they told Saul , the thing was agreeable to him. 21 Saul thought , "I will give her to him that she may become a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David , " For a second time you may be my son-in-law today ." 22 Then Saul commanded his servants , "Speak to David secretly , saying , 'Behold , the king delights in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore, become the king's son-in-law .' " 23 So Saul's servants spoke these words to David . But David said , "Is it trivial in your sight to become the king's son-in-law , since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed ?" 24 The servants of Saul reported to him according to these words which David spoke . 25 Saul then said , "Thus you shall say to David , 'The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines , to take vengeance on the king's enemies .' " Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines . 26 When his servants told David these words , it pleased e David to become the king's son-in-law . Before the days had expired 27 David rose up and went , he and his men , and struck down two hundred men among the Philistines . Then David brought their foreskins , and they gave them in full number to the king , that he might become the king's son-in-law . So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife . 28 When Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David , and that Michal , Saul's daughter , loved him,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:20-28
Commentary on 1 Samuel 18:12-30
(Read 1 Samuel 18:12-30)
For a long time David was kept in continual apprehension of falling by the hand of Saul, yet he persevered in meek and respectful behaviour towards his persecutor. How uncommon is such prudence and discretion, especially under insults and provocations! Let us inquire if we imitate this part of the exemplary character before us. Are we behaving wisely in all our ways? Is there no sinful omission, no rashness of spirit, nothing wrong in our conduct? Opposition and perverseness in others, will not excuse wrong tempers in us, but should increase our care, and attention to the duties of our station. Consider Him that endured contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds, Hebrews 12:3. If David magnified the honour of being son-in-law to king Saul, how should we magnify the honour of being sons to the King of kings!