“Now the Spirit of the LORD had DEPARTED FROM SAUL, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre…So Saul said, “FIND SOMEONE WHO PLAYS WELL and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem (David) 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.” (1 Sam. 16:14-18) Notice AMY, this is before Goliath came on the scene. David became favored by Saul because of David’s spiritual presence when he played his lyre it brought peace to Saul. Remember just before David went to play for Saul, Samuel anointed David to one day be king. “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.” (1 Sam. 16:23)
It was a while after this AMY, that David killed Goliath but before that happened David must have went back home for a while, “Now Jesse said David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers…Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel…fighting against the Philistines.” (1 Sam. 17:17-19) As we know David would not allow Goliath to defile God’s armies so he went after Goliath with a sling and 5 smooth stones. He only needed one to kill the giant. It was David’s bravery along with his trust in God, that allowed him to do this amazing feat! “So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he STRUCK DOWN THE PHILISTINE AND KILLED HIM.” (1 Sam. 17:50)
Things went from bad to worse for David AMY, “The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.” (1 Sam. 18:10-11) David was pursued by Saul for a while and finally David planned to leave, “Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.'” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.” (1 Sam. 20:42) For at least 10 years Saul tried to find David but God protected him and kept him safe! When David penned the 23rd Psalm he said “…though I WALK THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; For YOU ARE WITH ME; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4)
-Bill Stockham