1 Samuel 16:14-23 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Samuel 16:14-23. As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
1 Samuel 16:14-15 (NIV)
14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
On verses 14-15: Yesterday in verse 13 we read about how the Holy Spirit came upon David in power. Conversely, in verse 14 we see how the Holy Spirit had departed from Saul and now an evil spirit was tormenting him. Verses 14 and 15 say that this evil spirit was from God. Does God really send evil spirits? Remember that throughout much of the Old Testament, the mindset was that everything — both good and bad — comes directly from God. But when you read the New Testament, rather than seeing everything as coming directly from God, Jesus and the New Testament writers make a couple distinctions. First, they say that everything good is from God (James 1:17). Second, when it comes to things that we consider bad, like sickness, sin, an evil spirit or someone going to hell, these are not things that God wants. Rather they are things that God allows in a world broken by sin, where people are free to make their own choices (and often make the wrong choices), and where there is a ongoing war between God’s kingdom of light and Satan’s kingdom of darkness. It’s not that the Old Testament and New Testament contradict each other. Rather, through Jesus and the New Testament we get a fleshed out, deeper, clearer, more defined picture of who God is.
1 Samuel 16:16-17 (NIV)
16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
On verses 16-17: The Bible recognizes that there is something about music that is powerful, that can open up our hearts in a way that other things may not. The music you listen to will affect your emotions and thoughts. That’s why Saul’s people went looking for a harpist to minister to Saul. That’s why when Elisha was asked to pray, he first brought in a musician to play and it was while the music was playing that Elisha sensed direction from God (2 Kings 3:15). That’s why music plays such a prominent role in the worship culture of the church, both in the Old Testament and the New. Music is a powerful tool to be used in God’s kingdom.
1 Samuel 16:18-20 (NIV)
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. 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.
On verses 18-20: It’s incredible and very much a God thing that Saul, the current king of Israel, would send for David to play the harp for him, most likely not knowing that David had been anointed to be the next king. God works in mysterious ways. Also notice that David was well-rounded: not only was he a good musician, but also a brave warrior, a good speaker and handsome (v18).
1 Samuel 16:21-23 (NIV)
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 upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
On verses 21-23: Even more impressive than David’s musical abilities, fighting and speaking skills, and his fine appearance was David’s heart. David had been anointed the next king, yet David served Saul. Verse 21 says, David “entered his service”.
David could have arrogantly said, “Why should I serve you, Saul? I’m the next king and your replacement! You should be serving me!” But David did not do that. Instead, David recognized that, for as long as Saul was alive, he was still under Saul’s authority and so he did his best to serve his leader. David served Saul humbly and with excellence, so much so that Saul gave David other responsibilities and promoted him within his ranks (v21-22).
What’s the lesson here? If you want to be great, learn to serve. David’s actions illustrate Jesus’ words that whoever wants to be great must be a servant (Matthew 20:26-28; Luke 22:26).
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that those who are truly great are those who serve. Just as You served me with humility and excellence, may I serve You and others with humility and excellence. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
