1 Samuel 18:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Saul plans to use Michal as a snare to bring David into deadly danger, and again offers him marriage.
What Does 1 Samuel 18:21 Mean?
Saul's thought is laid bare: he will give Michal to David so that she becomes a trap and the Philistines may strike him down. Outwardly he renews the offer of marriage, telling David he can now become the king's son-in-law.
The same scheme returns in a new dress. Saul again hopes to make the enemy his instrument of murder. Yet his words, that may she be a snare, hang over a plan God will not let succeed. The Lord turns the trap aside, and what Saul means for David's ruin becomes a path to David's honor.
1 Samuel 18:21 in the Original Language
moqesh (מוֹקֵשׁ), 'snare' -- a hidden trap or lure set to catch and destroy the unwary.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 18:21
What does 1 Samuel 18:21 mean?
Saul plans to use Michal as a snare to bring David into deadly danger, and again offers him marriage.