1 Samuel 16:14 says, Btt the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. God's Spirit departed from Saul, and it says he was troubled by an evil spirit from the LORD, but I don't believe that God actually sends evil spirits to people. I believe that it would be more accurate to say that because God was no longer with Saul because of Saul’s actions and not God abandoning him, that Saul’s spirit toward God became evil. If God is responsible for our doing evil things, He cannot condemn us for doing them and still be a just God, but He doesn't and He is. Veres fifteen adds, And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Saul’s servants even recognized that he was becoming troubled by an evil spirit, though they accredited the evil spirit to God sending it and not to Satan, the true source. We should never attempt to hold God responsible for the evil in the world in general or our life in particular. Verse sixteen continues, Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. They suggested sending for someone who could play the harp well to come and sooth Saul’s soul with music when the evil spirit was upon him. Music always seemed to play a big role in the lives of God's people, and though it cannot relieve us from the responsibility of sin, it can make life easier to deal with at times, especially if it is music dedicated to God. Verse seventeen states, And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Saul told his servants to find a man who could play well and bring him to him. Saul did not thank them for their suggestion, nor ask that they see if they could find someone willing to come and play, but he acted more as a tyrant than a loving king, I believe. He also did not express any desire to repent and make things right between God and himself. If someone is attempting to help us in times of trouble today, we should be thankful to them and not act as though they owe us their help. Verse eighteen adds, Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. On of the servants said he knew of such a man, who was not only cunning in playing the harp, but was a valiant man of war who was prudent in all matters and a nice looking man, whom God was with. He was a son of Jesse from Bethlehem, and though the servant hadn't said so yet, his name was David. The servant had suggested David, whom God had chosen as Saul’s successor as king, come and help ease Saul’s spirit. David really checked all the boxes that would be expected in the king of Israel, especially the fact that God was with him. Those who will not obey God often fail to recognize that there are better people around them that God has in place to replace them, especially if they are involved in the leadership of the church. Verse nineteen continues, Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. Again, Saul did not send a messenger to Jesse and ask if David, who is now identified, could come, but simply demanded that he be sent. Knowing that God had already ordained David to be the king, I have to wonder if he thought about telling Saul this at that time. Sometimes, God may lead us to simply wait and be obedient to Him as we deal with other people, including those in power over us, even though we know that Jesus Christ is already the only King. Verse twenty says, And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. Jesse sent an gift along with David to Saul, who was as yet the king in the view of the people of Israel. Jesse did not attempt to force a change in leadership, but left it up to God. We also need to wait on God to carry out His plan today instead of attempting to force it on people. Verse twenty-one adds, And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. Though David had been anointed to be the new king of Israel, he came to Saul willing out of love for him as king and became Saul’s armourbearer. David did not come in arrogance stating that Saul should serve him, but came with respect and humility, waiting on God to tell him when the time was right for him to assume the position of king. We also must never get ahead of God's plan, especially if we are acting out of self-pride and arrogance. Verse twenty-two continues, And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. Saul did ask Jesse to allow David to remain with him, because David had found favor in his sight. If Saul had only known who David really was, the outcome might have been different, but he still saw David as only someone to serve him. I believe that if people really knew Who Jesus Christ is, they would treat Him differently, but too many people feel that they or some god they serve are superior to Him. Verse twenty-three concludes, And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. When Saul was under the influence of the evil spirit, David would play the harp for him and he would be refreshed. We would likely say that Saul was depressed and that David cheered him up with music. I believe that if we as Christians are depressed today that it is because we have allowed an evil spirit of the world to control us. As followers of Christ, saved forever by God's mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross in our place, we really have nothing to be depressed about, no matter how bad things may be in this world. This is not to say that depression is not a reality in the life of Christians, but that the source of overcoming it is allowing God to take the burden by our faith in Him.
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