David Plays for Saul

14Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil^a spirit from the Lordtormented him.

15Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let 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.”

17So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

18One 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.”

19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

23Whenever 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. (1 Samuel 16)

Thoughts: Samuel has some interesting things to say about the Spirit of God.  The Spirit of God fell on Saul and he began to prophecy.  Now God sends an evil spirit to torment Saul.  The Spirit of peace is replaced with a spirit of depression.  In the Old Testament, every spirit that we have is from God.  Evil spirits were evil in that they fostered destruction and hopelessness.  Good spirits fostered peace and contentment.  There was a time when a peaceful spirit was seen as normal and a depressed spirit is abnormal (so abnormal psychology studied neurotic and psychotic depressive-anxiety).  Today we are trying to redefine things so that everything is normal, and even that the abnormal is not to be fought but merely be accepted.  But destructive behavior is clearly evil- going against hope, love, and life- and the God who gives hope, love and life.
      David's skill as a musician became famous.  He was a renaissance man- with skill as a shepherd, warrior, king, and musician.  His music was a gift that calmed Saul's depression.  Even today people study how music therapy helps with depression.  

Prayer: Lord, protect me from evil spirits, but fill me with your spirit.