“Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
1 Samuel 16:23
God was dealing with Israel’s first king, the sometimes-faithful, often-wayward Saul, and it’s a bit confusing to us. The Spirit of the Lord left Saul, and now God sent an evil spirit to torment him (see v. 14). But the king’s counselors understood the power of music to soothe a troubled soul, so they set out to find a musician who could do just that.
When young David was summoned to be of service to King Saul, his harp-playing settled Saul’s mind and pleased him. He even asked David to stay on indefinitely and become one of his armor bearers.
That little detail in Scripture about the soothing nature of music rings true with all of us. When your heart was broken, when grief came to stay, when regrets weighed you down, was there a song or type of music that helped you through? God knew in the very beginning of time that sin’s entrance into our world would bring broken hearts, grief, and regret. He would provide a Savior to rescue His people one day from sin and sadness and would give in the meantime this gift—among many—to soothe us: music.
When young David was summoned to be of service to King Saul, his harp-playing settled Saul’s mind and pleased him. He even asked David to stay on indefinitely and become one of his armor bearers.
That little detail in Scripture about the soothing nature of music rings true with all of us. When your heart was broken, when grief came to stay, when regrets weighed you down, was there a song or type of music that helped you through? God knew in the very beginning of time that sin’s entrance into our world would bring broken hearts, grief, and regret. He would provide a Savior to rescue His people one day from sin and sadness and would give in the meantime this gift—among many—to soothe us: music.
Scripture Focus
1 Samuel 16:14-23
Insight
David’s music calmed Saul temporarily. When your troubled spirit needs soothing, go to the Psalms (many of which David wrote!) for the lasting comfort of your forever-King.
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 47-48
- Psalm 125
- 2 Corinthians 4-5