I Samuel 16:23
“So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.”
The last entry was on this same verse, but the focus was on Saul. Today’s emphasis will be on David. It shows his first job in the kingdom, to minister and serve the king.
On some level this verse seems a little scary. The Lord sent an evil spirit to torment Saul. That in itself is somewhat unsettling. Later we’ll see Saul try to kill David during one of these episodes. What was Saul’s mood like at these times? Was he an insane madman? This is the setting in which David was to play the harp.
To attempt to make soothing music with a troubled person right there seems like a lot of pressure. What if he makes a mistake and wrecks the mood with an off chord? He’s got to regroup and continue as if nothing is wrong.
Musicians get into the music they make. The best ones make the setting with their demeanor. Their eyes are closed, they are rocking back and forth. They are acting on some level. The audience follows them as they play. How difficult was this with a threatening person as the audience?
Everything we’ve learned about David is that he was a man of courage. Soon he will fight Goliath. All the men of Israel wouldn’t take the challenge. David confidently fought him. David convinced Saul he could do this by telling of his previous victories against a bear and a lion. He was in a physical fight with the lion, as he speaks of grabbing it by the beard as he killed it (I Samuel 17:35). Playing the harp for a disturbed, powerful person is another challenge.
Was he nervous? That’s very possible. Yes he was courageous, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t uncertain. Courage is doing the right thing in spite of anxiety. He wasn’t an unthinking beast reacting to instinct. The Psalms point out that he was a sensitive person who felt things.
David was a gifted musician who was able to bless others with his music. He was able to bring comfort to Saul. The Lord has gifted us all with some abilities to bless others. Being gifted means it’s natural. It’s not forced. It actually brings us joy to do this. It’s not a burden. Just as the Lord used David, He wants to use us. As we exersize the gifts God’s given us, we can sooth others.
There are other things that help us comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” We give what we’ve received. In this case, comfort. Prior to the comfort, there was pain or anxiety. He has visited us on many occasions. He has lifted us out of the pit and given us hope and purpose.
We share testimonies of hope with others. It’s very convincing when we can share this with those who are hurting. That’s part of the comfort we share.
Lord, thank You that You want to and do use us. What a privilege that we can help others. It’s also a blessing that You want to use us. Just as David was used, You want to bless others through us.