seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
a. 1 Samuel 16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23
So David is so cool... he plays the lyre.... that's like playing the guitar today. The commentaries are going on and on about how good looking and talented David is.... he's a rock star! It makes sense that David would play guitar.... it would be helpful while he spent time with the sheep.... they would be more at ease with some good guitar music to munch by. The predators would be aware of his presence because of the guitar music.... and although I'm sure it's not in any rock star's resume it sure does sooth someone, like Saul, who is fighting through paranoia.
David is also in place for training.... as Saul's armor-bearer he will witness everything that goes on.... he'll learn how to run a successful campaign..and.. negotiate business and treaties. Saul enjoys having David around.... and David soothes Saul's paranoia attacks.... that's good for both of them.
[video=youtube;kiA86HI-GLU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiA86HI-GLU[/video]
According to the blueletterbible.org site.... David's music was addicting.
David would take a harp and play it: A harp is a lyre, the ancient version of the guitar. This isn't speaking of one of the big harps you might find in an orchestra.
Then Saul would become refreshed and well: God used David to minister to Saul. David was happy to be used. What seemed like a great arrangement would not stay great for very long.
Then Saul would become refreshed and well: God used David to minister to Saul. David was happy to be used. What seemed like a great arrangement would not stay great for very long.
God was at work in ways no one could see. It seems plain to us from our distant perspective, but at the time, perhaps only Samuel knew what was going on. "Unwittingly, Saul was becoming dependent on the one designated to succeed him." (Baldwin)
I'm inclined to rattle off "and the beat goes on..... "
