Gospel Reflections #953: At times, an escape is the best thing to do

1 Samuel 19:13 ‘Michal placed the teraphim on her bed, covered them with a goat’s skin, and wrapped them in a garment.’

This depicts a tense scene in which Michal, daughter of King Saul and wife of David, used a ‘decoy’ to rescue her husband David from her father’s murderous intent.

When Saul sent assassins to kill David, Michal helped David escape through a window and then carried out this ruse. It demonstrates her resolve to protect her husband at the risk of her own life, defying her father’s command. 

She placed the teraphim on the bed and covered them with a cloth, using goat’s hair to make it look like his own, thereby pretending he was bedridden with illness. Thanks to this ruse, the pursuers did not immediately notice anything amiss, buying David time to flee far away.

At first glance, it may seem strange that David chose to flee rather than fight, as he had done against Goliath; however, David placed greater importance on his loyalty to God than on victory or defeat.

That is precisely why, whilst King Saul increasingly strayed from the Spirit of God and descended into madness, God faithfully protected David—the future king—through the help of those close to him, such as Michal. 

If we too remain faithful to God, He will surely provide us with helpers and prepare a way of escape for us.

It is by no means an easy path, but it is certainly a way of escape that God will guide us along.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.