A transactional marriage—one that is entered into for selfish gain, political advantage, or social standing—can severely compromise your destiny. This type of marriage, often influenced by external pressures from parents, ministers, or societal expectations, leads to choices that do not align with God’s perfect will for your life. David’s near-miss with his marriage to Saul’s daughter is a prime example. He likely believed that aligning with Saul’s household and marrying a princess would expedite his path to the throne, given that he was already anointed as King. However, this political move came at a high price, as it compromised his purpose and spiritual well-being. Choosing a life partner based on such selfish or strategic motives, rather than divine guidance, can lead to spiritual barrenness, relational struggles, and ultimately, a detour from God’s plan for your life.
The kingdom that God promised David was not one to be gained through merit – human wisdom, political strategy, or social status. If these were the qualifications, he would never have been chosen, as God had already rejected his brothers based on such standards. What mattered to God was the hidden man of the heart—a heart that was humble, broken, filled with integrity, and meek, like that of a shepherd. It was not the heart of a hireling – hired servant but of a man molded through discipleship – discipline, brokenness, and the refining fire of the wilderness. A life of comfort in the palace would have made him unfit for God’s purpose—and unfortunately, Michal, Saul’s daughter, embodied that very life. She was proud, arrogant, and lacked the brokenness and meekness that align with God’s calling.
Are You Being Pushed into a Marriage for the Wrong Reasons?
Are you in a ministry where elders are pressuring you into a marriage for selfish interests—perhaps to expand their ministry, secure political connections, or grow a family business? Do not succumb to such influence! Stand for Jesus and politely say No! If you continue in a relationship arranged by man but not ordained by God, you alone will bear the consequences. David suffered such consequences in his marriage to Michal. Even after Saul’s death, when David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, she despised him. That marriage bore no fruit; Michal remained barren.
If you are engaged, have you considered whether the spiritual barrenness you’re experiencing presently is linked to a wrong alignment in your relationship? If you are already married, could the struggles—both spiritual and biological—stem from a choice that was not God-led?
You may hear people say, “Don’t worry, he or she is a child of God; they will change.” But the foundational requirement for marriage is God’s leading, not mere religious affiliation. Being in the same church, fellowship, ministry, school, community, or tribe does not guarantee a shared heart toward God. God does not lead through the arm of flesh—He leads through His Spirit.
The Danger of Political and Strategic Marriages
When the devil infiltrated Israel through Jezebel, it was through a political marriage. Ahab, king of Israel, married Jezebel, the daughter of the king of Sidon. This union led to the introduction of Baal worship in Israel, provoking God’s anger. Together, Ahab and Jezebel built a temple for Baal, orchestrated Naboth’s murder to seize his vineyard, and spread idolatry across the land. Elijah prophesied against them, declaring judgment. Ahab was killed in battle, and Jezebel met a gruesome end, fulfilling God’s word. Their reign was marked by drought, famine, and eventual destruction—a cautionary tale of how unequal yoking can lead to corruption, idolatry, and divine judgment. Also in Ahab’s days, God’s injunction on Jericho was violated by Hiel, a resident of Bethel, bringing His curse into effect.
But that was not the devil’s final move—his greater scheme was to infiltrate the kingdom of Judah by smuggling in Jezebel’s daughter. Through her lineage, he sought to eliminate the royal heirs, seize control of the throne, and ultimately prevent the birth of Christ, ensuring that the throne would be occupied by his own agent. Jezebel likely orchestrated this for political reasons, recognizing the deep historical ties between Israel and Judah, dating back to the United Kingdom of David and Solomon.
Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, married Jehoram, son of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Under her influence, Jehoram killed his brothers and other royal princes, walking in the ways of the kings of Israel and introducing the idolatrous practices of Ahab’s household. Deceived by his wife, he led Judah into corruption until God’s judgment fell upon him, his wives, and all his sons—except his youngest, Ahaziah, born to Athaliah. However, Athaliah herself escaped captivity.
After Jehoram’s death, Athaliah continued to manipulate her son, Ahaziah, leading him to follow the wicked ways of Ahab’s house through ungodly counsel. When Ahaziah died, she took matters into her own hands, massacring the royal heirs and ruling over David’s throne for years. But God, in His divine plan, preserved Joash, hiding him until the appointed time of restoration.
Be warned! Wait on God for the partner He has prepared for you.
The enemy’s tactics have not changed. He still seeks to infiltrate God’s people through ungodly marriages, political alliances, and relationships that seem advantageous but lead to spiritual ruin. Do not fall into the trap of transactional marriages—unions orchestrated by men for convenience, ambition, or personal gain rather than divine purpose.
Wait on God. Let Him lead you to the partner He has prepared for you. Anything outside His will is a costly mistake.
