We could title this chapter “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down.” King Saul was doing everything in his power to make David fall, but nothing was working. He told David that he could marry his daughter Merab if he would fight against the Philistines. Saul thought that David would die in battle. But David did not feel worthy to be Saul’s son-in-law, so Saul gave Merab away to someone else.

When Michal, Saul’s youngest daughter, fell in love with David, Saul thought that she would cause him to stumble before the Philistines. When David insinuated that he was poor and could not afford the bride-price, Saul responded that the only dowry he would accept was one hundred Philistine foreskins! Once again, Saul thought David would die in battle fulfilling the order. But David brought Saul two hundred foreskins and was unharmed. Curses…foiled again!

When Michal married David, she deeply loved him, and Saul knew that he could not manipulate her to harm David. In everything David did, the LORD was with him, and Saul could not stop it. So Saul became increasingly afraid of David. As David became more famous, Saul became more envious.

Sometimes it seems as if nice guys finish last. That is sometimes true in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, those who love Him and do what is right receive God’s favor.

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6–7, KJV)

Be faithful to God in whatever He has given you to do—whether it is tending sheep, caring for children, repairing cars, cleaning houses, leading a Bible study, fighting battles, or anything else. You may face headwinds from people; you most certainly will from the devil. But if you trust God, He will bless you, protect you, and exalt you in His time.