Thursday, July 7, 2011

1 Samuel 16:14-23

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. 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.

Questions to consider:

  • What happened when the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul?
  • What relief was there for Saul?
  • Who was able to provide that relief?
  • Why is the person who came to play the lyre for Saul notable?

Possibilities for prayer:

We just met David, the boy that God has chosen to become the next leader of the people of Israel. Already we see the way in which he serves the people around him, bringing relief to people who are in pain. This must have been a rather awkward situation for David, but he fulfills his duty with grace. Today, let's ask that God would make us servants of the people around us, able to bring relief and joy into the lives of the people we encounter.