1. 1 Samuel 19:13 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why did Michal put an idol on the bed and cover it with a garment and some goats’ hair?

1 Samuel 19:13 (ESV)

13 Michal took an image and laid it on the bed and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head and covered it with the clothes.

Michal wanted to make it look as if David is sick in bed. This was meant to delay any pursuit and gave him more time to reach his destination.1 It would have been especially helpful to him if he was travelling on foot and Saul’s men had the use of horses. From the Hebrew text, it is not clear if the idol itself was stuffed in the bed or set before it as a means of seeking the idols’ protection.2 Most likely it was beside the bed to enhance the idea of David’s illness.3 Carpets and clothing would have been better candidates to form the body of David.4