David plays for his King

1 Samuel 16:14-23. David’s playing on his harp was the only thing that would settle King Saul’s troubled mind.

When an evil spirit from God came upon King Saul, David would take his harp and play and King Saul would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

David was an accomplished musician. He practiced many hours while looking after his father’s sheep.

Background Reading:

David in Saul’s service

16:14 The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 Saul’s servants told him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our lord order his servants who attend you to look for a man who is skilled in playing the lyre. And then when an evil spirit from God comes on you, he will play and you will be better.”

17 Saul told his servants, “Find a man for me who can play well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the young men answered: “Look, I’ve seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skilled in playing. The man is a valiant soldier, gifted in speech, and handsome. And the LORD is with him.”

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and one kid, and sent them to Saul along with his son David. 21 David went to Saul and began to serve him. Saul loved him very much, and he became his armor bearer. 22 Saul sent a messenger to Jesse to tell him, “Allow David to serve me, because I’m pleased with him.” 23 Whenever an evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the lyre and play it. Relief would come to Saul and he would be better, because the evil spirit would leave him.
1 Samuel 16:14-23


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