Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David.
I Samuel 18:20;

As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
II Samuel 6:16

We are familiar with the expression, “There is a fine (thin) line between love and hate.” Someone described this situation as follows: A person can love someone so much that when that person does something to hurt terribly the other the love can quickly change to hate. It is possible to love someone today and hate that person tomorrow thus explaining the close relationship between these two strong emotions.

Michal was the youngest daughter of King Saul. (I Samuel 14:49) In I Samuel 18:20 we read, “Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David.” Perhaps Michal was physically attracted to David because in I Samuel 16:12, David is described as being: “ruddy, handsome and with beautiful eyes.” Her father, King Saul loved David greatly (I Samuel 16:21). Later we read that Saul’ was David’s enemy from that time forward.” (I Samuel 18:29) Sometimes the love or hated for a person is generated by feelings for a third party, in this case Michal may have loved/hated David to please or displease King Saul.

In our reading from II Samuel it seems that Michal despised or hated David because he danced with wild abandon before the ark as it was brought into Jerusalem. David then went to his house and “… Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, ‘How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself before the eyes’ of his servants’ maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself.’” (6:20) Michal may have hated David because of her jealousy about the servants’ maids ogling her husband and David seemingly enjoying the attention. She also may have hated David as Saul was replaced by David as king and her family of origin’s fortune was in ruins.

Yes, there is a fine (thin) line between love and hate. Jesus obliterates that line when in the Sermon on the Mount he says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” (Matthew 5:43-44)

Prayer

O Lord, help us to love one another so that there is no room for hatred in our lives. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.