1 Samuel 19:13

Hebrew Bible Modern 1977

ותקח מיכל את התרפים ותשם אל המטה ואת כביר העזים שמה מראשתיו ותכס בבגד:

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes Michal, Saul's daughter and David's wife, hiding David from Saul's wrath. She places an image in his bed and uses a pillow of goats' hair to make it look like David is sleeping, then covers it with a cloth.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek, and your friend is hiding from a mean person. Your friend pretends to be sleeping by using a pillow and blanket to make it look like they're there, but they're actually hiding somewhere safe. That's what Michal did to protect David.

Historical Background

The book of 1 Samuel was written by various authors, possibly including Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, around the 10th century BCE. It was written for the Israelites to understand God's choice of kings and the importance of faithfulness to God.

Living It Out Today

Just as Michal took a risk to protect David, we can take risks to protect those we care about. Think about how you might help a friend in a difficult situation by thinking creatively like Michal did.

Topics

• protection
• deception
• family relationships
• risk-taking
• faithfulness
• divine intervention

Related Verses

• 1 Samuel 23:26
• 2 Samuel 17:17
• Judges 5:24
• Mark 16:13
• Hebrews 11:30

Recommended Reading

Commentary 1 Samuel Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Bible Modern Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Michal help David?

Michal helped David because she was loyal to him despite her father Saul's attempts to kill David. She risked her life to protect him, showing deep loyalty and love.

What does the image in the bed represent?

The image in the bed was likely a decoy to make Saul think David was still in the house, allowing David to escape safely.

How does this verse show faithfulness?

This verse shows faithfulness in Michal's actions to protect David, even though it put her in danger. Her actions demonstrate a deep commitment to David and a willingness to stand up against her own family.

What can we learn about taking risks from Michal?

We can learn that taking risks can be necessary to protect others, especially those we care about. Michal's actions show that sometimes we must take bold steps to do what is right, even if it's dangerous.