Driving Himself Insane

After repeated defeats, the Philistines withdrew for a while to regroup.  During this interlude, David earned a great deal more respect from the people, aggravating Saul’s paranoia. Since he had been unable to trick David into getting killed by the Philistines, he ordered his servants to execute David, in I Samuel 18:30-19:1.  “Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.  And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.”

Because they had similar attitudes, Jonathan and David had formed a strong bond, with Jonathan treating David like a beloved younger brother.  Unwilling to destroy that relationship, and realizing the anger was all on Saul’s side, Jonathan tried to resolve the issues, in I Samuel 19:2-7.  “But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.  And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.”

Reminding  of what all David had done for him, and warning him that it was wrong to hold such a grudge against him Jonathan convinced Saul to drop the issues for a while, is underlying selfish attitude did not change.  He still begrudged the attention David had earned, and as soon as something drew attention to David his anger and hatred resurfaced, as I Samuel 19:8-10 describes.  “And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.  And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.  And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.”

There is an old saying, “He who does you wrong will never forgive you.”  It seems like the more irrational und unjustifiable their anger is, the more unwilling people are to let it go.  I suspect that the problem is that when they are honest they feel guilty for their attitude, and instead of admitting they were wrong, they invent excuses to justify their anger.  Marriage counselors see this frequently, and it is very obvious among our political figures.   If the underlying attitude is not chanced, sooner or later it will resurface, and Satan uses this irrational hatred and anger to blind their minds so that they do not even consider the facts or the effects of what they are doing.  Because they have let their emotions override their intelligence, they are under Satanic control

When his attempt to murder David failed, Saul gave orders to have him murdered while he slept, in I Samuel 19:11-18.  “Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.  So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.  And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.  And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.  And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.  And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?  So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.”

Michal loved David, and helped him escape, even delaying pursuit to give him time to get away, but she knew that Saul had been determined to kill his son Jonathan for unknowingly disobeying him in I Samuel 14:44.  She had no doubt he would kill her if he knew she had deliberately helped David, so she lied, claiming David had forced her to help him.  Though he was still able to function normally, Saul had allowed his selfishness and hatred to effectively drive him insane.  The longer he clings to that anger and hatred the worse it will become.

Saul Tries To Get David Killed

Saul had gotten jealous when the women had sung about Saul killing thousands and David killing tens of thousands, fearing David might try to usurp the throne.  After brooding about it all night, he had developed a bad attitude, and David came to play for hin and help him settle down, in I Samuel 18:10-11.  “And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.  And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.”

Seeing David playing the harp reminded Saul why he was so upset.  In a fit of rage, he hurled a spear at David, intending to kill him, but David managed to dodge it twice.  His failure to kill David increased Saul’s paranoia, as I Samuel 18:12-13 tells us.  “And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.  Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.”  People tend to judge others by what their own attitude and actions, and he feared David would try to kill him.  Knowing it would cause trouble if he had David executed, Saul promoted to be a field commander so he wouldn’t get the chance to kill him. 

David quickly earned the respect of his troops, worrying Saul even more.  Fearing any action against David would result in rebellion, Saul tried to put in a position where he would be killed by the Philistines, in I Samuel 18:14-18.  “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.  Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.  And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?”  In an effort to motivate David to take unnecessary risks, Saul promised to give David his daughter Merab as his wife if he defeated the Philistines.   David was young and didn’t feel qualified to be a princess’ husband so he just performed his duties without taking chances.  He successfully defeated the Philistines, but Saul broke his promise, as I Samuel 18:19 tells us.  “But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.” 

Like many political figures, Saul had only made the promise in an effort to get his own way, expecting David to be killed.    When David survived, Saul either had to keep his promise or lose his credibility, and since Merab had married someone else he had a problem.  Fortunately, his younger daughter, Michal had a crush on David and was close to the same age.  Saul thought he could use her to get rid of David.  He encouraged his servants to tell David he really wanted him as a son in law, and that if he could bring proof that he had killed a hundred Philistines, there would be no question of his deserving her, in I Samuel 18:20-25.  “And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain. And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.  And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David.

And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.  And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.”

David fell for Saul’s trickery, and did twice as much as Saul had requested, in I Samuel 18:26-29.  “And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.  Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.  And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.  And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.”

Saul’s plot failed and he was forced to keep his promise to let David marry Michal.  Realizing it was God protecting David, he became even more determined to kill him.  Sometimes it is amazing how dumb selfishness makes people, as we are seeing in American politics.  Please note that a person’s attitude is a product of their spirit, and affects everything they do.   While we can’t see the spirit, any more than we can see the wind, like the wind, we can see its effects in a person’s life. 

Selfishness Turns Saul Against David

David had served as Saul’s personal musician and armor bearer for some time, yet saul was so wrapped up in himself he didn’t even know who he was, according to I Samuel 17:55-58.  “And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth?

And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is.  And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.  And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man?

And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

When David had been brought to play for Saul and help soothe his spirit, I Samuel 16:21 tells us, “And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.”  That Saul had so quickly forgotten who he was shows that Saul did not care about David himself, but only about what he did for him.  Over the years, Saul had become increasingly selfish, as his position allowed him to indulge his selfishness, and his only concern was how he could use men like David to accomplish his goals.    

Saul’s son Jonathan was apparently somewhat older than David, but as we have seen, he had a similar attitude of faith.  He treated David as a beloved younger brother, as I Samuel 18:1-4 tells us.  “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.  Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.  And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.  And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.”

Saul drafted David into the army, setting him over the army.  David was careful to follow orders and avoid offending more experienced soldiers, quickly earning their respect.  When the army returned home, they were accorded a triumphal procession, with David being given a hero’s acclaim, as I Samuel 18:6-7 tells us.  “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.  And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Saul was a selfish person and became quite jealous of the admiration David received, in I Samuel 18:8-9.  “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?  And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.”   Saul knew that without David’s defeating Goliath, they might not have won the war, but he wanted the credit.   He became afraid the people might think David was better leader and make him king instead.  Assuming David wanted power as much as he did, Saul never quite trusted him from that time on. 

Sooner or later, selfishness destroys what could otherwise be good relationships.    

God Gets The Glory

Desperate to stop Goliath from demoralizing his troops, Saul accepted David’s offer to fight him.  In an effort to improve David’s chances for success, Saul gave him his own armor and weapons.  Trying it on, David discovered it didn’t fit properly, and he wasn’t experienced with the weapons.  That unfamiliarity with his weapons could well cause his death.  Laying aside those weapons, he took up the ones he was more confident about, even though they were not considered as good, in I Samuel 17:40.  “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.”

In one of his books about starting a business, Michael Masterson wrote that having too much money available when you start out can set one up for failure, and advises against getting a loan from the Small Business Administration.  With plenty of money, it is easy to over reach one’s abilities, signing contracts won can’t fulfill, purchasing stock that may not sell, or spending excessive amount on a new office or equipment and vehicles before there is sufficient income to pay for it and leaving the business without money to operate.  It can also result in one investing too much in one area that he cannot adjust to changing trends or unexpected competition. 

Masterson pointed out that  businesses that grow naturally are five times as likely to succeed as those who were given huge amounts of money to get started, partly because the owner is spending his own money and tends to be more careful how it is spent, working harder to make sure he is making good decisions.  As a result, mistakes or bad decisions tend to be manageable, and as he learns, become less common, enabling him to grow the business. 

David had used his sling and his staff to fight a bear and a lion, and knew how to use them, understanding that his success depended on God rather than his own skill.  As a result, he was able to boldly confront Goliath, despite his superior size and weapons.  Goliath was insulted that they didn’t even bother to send out an armed soldier to fight him, as I Samuel 17:41-44 tells us.  “And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.  And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.  And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.”  While a dog might run away if struck with a rock or a stick, surely they didn’t think an armored soldier would.  It was really insulting and he cussed him out. 

David pointed out that Goliath was depending on his weapons for success while he was depending on God, who Goliath had defied.  He thoroughly expected God to give him the victory just to show the Philistines who God was, as I Samuel 17:45-47 says.  “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.  This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.  And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.”

The contest ended almost before it began.  God guided David’s stone so that it struck just below the edge of Goliath’s helmet, fracturing his skull and knocking him out, as I Samuel 17:48-51a describes.  “And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.  So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.  Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith…”  With Goliath unconscious, David had no trouble using his own sword to cut off his head, killing him. 

Confident no one could defeat Goliath, the Philistines were horrified to see him killed by an unarmed boy.  They were totally demoralized and panicked, as I Samuel 17:51b-53 describes.  “…And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.  And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.  And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.”  The Philistines didn’t stop running until they were safe in the forts at home. 

Clearly, David had not needed Saul’s weapons when he had God to make him succeed.  Had he used Sau’s armor and weapons, his defeat of Goliath would have been less shocking, even if he had won.  God gets far more glory when we just use what he has given us instead of depending on what somebody else gives. 

Contrast Between Saul And David

Saul was desperate for someone to stop Goliath from demoralizing his army.  When he heard what David had said, he sent for him, in I Samuel 17:31.  “And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.”  David had not bragged that he would kill Goliath or anything of the sort, but had simply said he was making fun of god and his army.  Saul was hoping he could use those comments some way to motivate the army and prevent their being demoralized by Goliath’s challenge.   

It was obvious someone needed to fight Goliath, and since no one else was willing, David volunteered.  Like David’s older brother, Saul assumed David’s offer was just braggadocio, and that he had nor real idea what he was facing, as I Samuel 17:32-33 tells us.  “And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”  After all, David wasn’t even old enough to join the army, and Goliath was a mature experienced soldier. 

David explained this was not the first time he had faced danger.  He also made it clear he recognized his victory had been because of God’s power, rather than his own skill and strength, in I Samuel 17:34-37.  “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.  Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.  David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”  If God would protect him against a lion and a bear that were just trying to kill some sheep, surely he would protect him against a giant who was trying to kill God’s people. 

With no one else willing to even try, Saul was stuck with David.  Hoping to improve his chances, he gave David the best weapons available, his own suit of armor, in I Samuel 17:38.  “And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.”

Saul was the tallest man in Israel, nearly a foot taller than anyone else, according to I Samuel 10:23.  David was just a teen ager who had not yet reached his full height, and the armor was way too big for him.  David realized it would actually hamper his ability to fight, and especially since he had never practiced using it, in I Samuel 17:39.  “And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” 

Right here we see the contrast between David and Saul.  Saul’s entire focus was on human weapons and human abilities.   Like many leaders today, he thought he could win the victory if he had enough weapons and people were properly motivated. Like Jonathan, in I Samuel 14:6. David realized the victory depended on God rather than on military might or motivation. Too often, like Saul, we forget what II Chronicles 20:15 tells us. “…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.”   Frequently the very things people think are most needed to do God’s work hamper us, just like the armor would have hampered David.  

Intimidation

Time after time the Judges led Israel, depending on God for victory and turning the people back to following Him, and each time their enemies were unable or afraid to attack again until the leader died, because they recognized the power of God.   Saul was more dependent on his own abilities  and motivational skills.  While he had defeated the Philistines decisively, they had no sense of having been fighting God, and attacked again just a few years later, as I Samuel 17:1-3 describes.  “Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.  And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.  And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.”

After their previous battle against Saul, the Philistines were convinced they could win if they used the proper strategy.  They were not concerned about God’s role in battle, sending Goliath to intimidate the Israelites, according to I Samuel 17:4-10.  “And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.  And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.  And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.  If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.  And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. ”

Goliath was huge, standing about nine foot nine.  He was immensely strong, wearing a coat of mail that weighed about a hundred fifty pounds, besides all the other armor.  His weapons were huge, with his spear being a large around as a wooden fence post, and the head weighed almost as much as a twenty pound sledge hammer.  Ordinary armor would provide almost no protection from such a weapon.  The promise that the Philistines would surrender if he was killed did nothing to allay their fear, as I Samuel 17:11 tells us.  “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”

David was the youngest of Jesse’s sons, and was much too young to fight in the battle, so he was sent home, while the three oldest boys joined the army.  About forty days after the two armies had met, Jesse send David to take some food to his brothers.  He arrived just in time to hear Goliath make his challenge again, in I Samuel 17:20-25.  “And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.  For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.  And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.  And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.  And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.  And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.”

In an effort to motivate the people, Saul had offered great rewards, including financial rewards, membership in the royal family, and exemptions from taxes and property seizures or being drafted for military service or labor on public projects.  While the people were impressed by the promised rewards, none of them had any hope of defeating Goliath.  Like the Philistines, the Israelites had discounted any role God might play in the battle.  In the previous battle with the Philistines, Saul had made the same mistake, saying, “…Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies…” in I Samuel 14:24. 

David recognized that Goliath’s attack was not just on Israel, but was an attack on God’s power, in I Samuel 17;26.  “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

The people had no understanding of what David was saying.  Even his older brother thought he was daydreaming about being the big hero and winning those rewards, in I Samuel 17:27-30.  “And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?  And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.”

David believed God was still able to do miracles like he had done in the past, and couldn’t understand why the others didn’t think he would.   He was not intimidated by Goliath’s threats as a result.

David Becomes Saul’s Personal Assistant

Because of Saul’s sin, God had made it very clear he was no longer to be king of Israel.  Were originally, the Spirit of God came on Saul directing him, Saul’s sin blocked the Holy Spirit from working in him as I Samuel 16:14 tells us.  “But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. “  Galatians 5:22-23 describes the results of the Spirit in a person’s life.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  Saul’s attitude changed as a result of the absence of the Holy Spirit, and he began to suffer bouts of depression and anger, overreacting to even minor annoyances. 

Concerned by the changes in Saul’s attitude and behavior, his servants recommended he start listening to soothing music to help calm him down when he began to feel upset, in I Samuel 16:15-16.  “And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.  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.”

When Saul agreed to try it, one of his servants recommended David for the job, in I Samuel 16:17-18.  “And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

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.”  Not only was David a skilled musician, but he would also make a valuable addition to the staff when Saul wasn’t struggling with depression and anger. 

Based on the servants recommendation Saul agreed to interview David, in I Samuel 16:19-21.  “Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.  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.  And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.”

Saul was impressed by David, and made him his personal assistant,  responsible for seeing that his armor and other needs were available at any time.  Because David was still a minor, Saul informed David’s father of the plan, and David  began his job in I Samuel 16:22-23.  “And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.  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.”

God had already named David to be the next king, and this would give David the opportunity to observe how Saul’s decision making and the results of his decisions first hand, preparing him for his future position.  In the meantime, at least for a while, his music soothed Saul’s spirit, and helped him control his emotions.  Unfortunately, because the music only alleviated the symptoms but did nothing for root cause of Saul’s anger and depression, his resentments continued to grow, just as happens so often today with efforts to treat depression and anger.  Physical approaches can only temporarily alleviate the symptoms of spiritual problems.  They can never cure the problem.