שמואל א, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ״ח

Saul experiences a profound and sobering realization as his schemes to harm David repeatedly fail. Witnessing David's overwhelming success brings Saul to the undeniable conclusion that God is actively accompanying David in all his endeavors [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ, אלשיך]. Paradoxically, this clear recognition of God's presence with David becomes the central reason for Saul's deep hatred and his intense desire to end David's life [אלשיך].

Adding to Saul's frustration and fear is the reality of his daughter Michal's deep affection for David. The primary approach among commentators is that her love creates a significant strategic obstacle for the king. First, the fact that his own daughter is bound by love to his greatest rival, despite his own hatred, serves as a painful proof to Saul that the royal throne will ultimately pass to David [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג]. Furthermore, Saul understands that he can no longer use Michal as a pawn to trap David and bring about his death [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Her devotion acts as a powerful shield for David on multiple fronts. It stops Saul from launching a direct attack, as he hesitates to break his daughter's heart [רלב״ג]. Additionally, Saul lives with the constant fear that any secret plot devised within the royal palace will be immediately leaked to David by Michal, giving him the chance to escape and protect himself [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, רד״ק].

Looking at these events through the lens of divine providence, a deeper layer of protection is revealed. God prepares the cure before the illness strikes. The timing of Michal falling in love with David, occurring even before Saul reaches his final decision to kill him, is a deliberate act of divine preparation. It is exactly this deep love that will eventually lead Michal to risk her own life to save David from her father's wrath [אלשיך].