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David, the early years - Part 3

Promotion by God, not Self-promotion

12th November 2011

Last week, we looked in some detail at this verse:

1 Samuel 16v14
Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.

We now move on:

1 Samuel 16v15-20
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 harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."
So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
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.

Saul had been rejected by God as king over Israel, and God had sent him an evil spirit to torment him, but Saul's followers remained loyal to him; he was still a man. We must continue to love our brothers and sisters, even when they are going through a period of chastisement from God.

And they understood that music can sooth a person who is being attacked by demons. We are body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5v23) and these components of our being are more connected that some people realise. For example, I find prayer very difficult when I'm unwell.

David must have grown in reputation since Samuel had anointed him as king, but it seems Saul was not yet aware of him. One of Saul's servants knew of David, though, and recommended him to Saul, who sent for him.

David knew he was called to be king, and he knew that Saul still wore the crown. But David was content to wait for God's time. He did nothing to try to make God's will for him happen. He had become a brave man and a warrior who speaks well and is a fine-looking man but he was no rebel or usurper. He seems to have been involved in some military action, and to have done well, but was content afterwards to go home and look after Jesse's sheep. God is in control of our destiny, and His timing is perfect.

But there was something about David, the shepherd and part-time soldier, that made Saul's servant realise that the LORD is with him. We don't need some position of authority or prominence to be an influence for good to those around us. We need to walk with God. And if we do, God will walk with us. And others will see it.

1 Samuel 16v21-22
David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armour-bearers.
Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."

Because of his God-given gifts, and because he walked with God, David was noticed and taken into the royal household. He hadn't schemed or lobbied for advancement; he'd trusted God and got on with his life. God promoted him; he didn't promote himself.

May those who seek to serve God with their lives wait for God, like David. And may those leaders whom God rejects from the their role, step down and not cling to power. We get enough of selfish ambition from our secular politicians; we don't need it in church as well.

And:

1 Samuel 16v23
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.

It would seem that Saul's continued health stood between David and the crown, but David was happy to help Saul. No-one but we ourselves can frustrate God's plans for us, and David trusted God to make him king in God's time and in God's way. We should not desire to run ahead of God's timing, it's not wise to try to attain a position before God knows we're ready for it.

And the evil spirit would leave him (Saul) when David played. I don't think I've ever seen a Christian trying to help someone with demon problems by playing them some music. But many people find great solace, and maybe more, in music - especially music written for worship. We may not fully understand how we function, and how hearing music affects our hearts, we may not understand that music can change our spiritual state - and some Christians are uncomfortable with the idea that it does - but it does! Following God is not just a mental exercise - it involves every part of our being. How we spend our money, how we relax, how we worship, who we befriend, what music we listen to, what we watch, what we eat, what we drink... everything affects and is affected by our relationship with God.