What is Saul’s ultimate plan in sending David off on various campaigns?
1 Samuel 18:17 (ESV)
17Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
Saul’s logic is clear. If David fights the Philistines long enough, he will eventually be injured or killed in battle.1 David would use a similar logic to get rid of Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11:14–27). Saul is seeking to kill David in an indirect manner.2
17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” For Saul thought, “Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”