1 Samuel 16:14-23
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrified him.
15 Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.
16 May our lord now command your servants who are before you. Have them search for a man who is a skillful musician on the harp; and it shall come about whenever the evil spirit from God is upon you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will become well.”
17 So Saul said to his servants, “Now select for me a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
18 Then one of the young men responded and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a valiant mighty man, a warrior, skillful in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.”
19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, who is with the flock.”
20 And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine, and he took a young goat, and sent them to Saul by his son David.
21 Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul greatly loved him, and he became his armor bearer.
22 So Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David now be my attendant for he has found favor in my sight.”
23 So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would feel relieved and become well, and the evil spirit would leave him.
A Harp-Playing Warrior
Saul and David
There was a drastic contrast between Saul, who turned away from the Lord, and David, who received the anointing. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David, but the same Spirit departed from Saul. (1) An evil spirit from the Lord terrified Saul. Even an evil spirit cannot act without the Lord’s permission. (2) Saul, being attacked by the evil spirit, exhibited symptoms such as suppression, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and paranoid delusions. (3) When his servants suggested calling a skilled harpist, Saul agreed. This indicates that Saul was aware of his condition. This is what we call “music therapy” today. It’s not that the harp’s sound had a direct effect on the evil spirit, but the music brought peace to Saul’s soul. (4) One of Saul’s servants happened to know about David and recommended him to Saul. Behind these events, God’s invisible hand was at work. This is what we call providence. David did not claw his way up to become king. It was God’s invisible hand that brought him to Saul and led him to live in the royal palace. We, too, have similar experience in our lives. Blessed are those who walk through life carried by the Lord’s hand, without haste or weariness.
Saul’s armor bearer
The young man who knew David described him as (1) a skilled harpist, (2) a valiant mighty man, (3) a warrior, (4) skillful in speech, and (5) a handsome man. Although David had not yet fought in battles, he was known as a warrior, likely because he had fought and triumphed over wild beasts like lions and bears. Called to the royal palace, David found favor with Saul and was appointed as his armor bearer. An armor bearer is literally a person who carries the king’s armor but is also the king’s bodyguard. This was a highly prestigious position for a soldier. Saul was still unaware that David had been anointed as the next king. David began living in the palace as a “music therapist,” but this also served as training for his future role as king. This exactly was the reason behind the Lord sending an evil spirit to Saul. Let’s praise the Lord, who works wonders even in our lives as well.
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, You are the One who works wonders far beyond our thoughts and plans. Please guide my life with Your providential hand. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.