Sometimes, our tendency is to fight with or fight against the people and the things that matter most in our lives.

Instead, what if you were to decide to fight for the relationships that matter most?

Married or single, all of us have important relationships in our lives that need to be strengthened. We’re looking for principles we can apply to make these relationships stronger.

In 2 Samuel 6, we get a glimpse into David’s first marriage to a young woman named Michal. This was before David became the king of Israel, but he was already a rising star in the nation of Israel. Michal was the daughter of King Saul. They were the quintessential power couple of their day.

David had a huge problem. Michal’s father saw David as a threat to his throne. Things were so bad that Saul was on a mission to kill David. He wanted to rid himself of this perceived threat to his kingdom.

First Samuel 18:28-29 provides some insight into their strained relationship: “When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, Saul became even more afraid of him, and he remained David’s enemy for the rest of his life.” That is not exactly the kind of relationship you want with your in-laws.

Early in their marriage, Saul sent soldiers over to David and Michal’s house. They were coming to kill David. Michal caught wind of what was about to take place, so she helped David escape through a back window.

When Saul found out that his daughter helped David escape, he was furious. Saul confronted his daughter about what she had done: “Why have you betrayed me like this and let my enemy escape?” (1 Samuel 19:17a)

Michal lied to her dad and said she had to do it: “He threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him.” (1 Samuel 19:17b) Michal was between a rock and a hard place. She probably felt like she had to choose between her husband and her dad. She tried to cover up what she had done to keep from alienating her father.

King Saul later died. David became the king. Now that her dad was out of the picture, Michal shouldn’t have to choose where she will place her loyalty and devotion.

You would think everything would be fine by now, but as we will see next time, a destructive seed has been sewn in David and Michal’s relationship.

Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].