1 Samuel 16

God rejected Saul in favor of a son of Jesse, a Bethlehmite from the tribe of Judah. But which son would it be? God would show Samuel.

When Saul was chosen as king, he looked the part. But this time the Lord said to Samuel, “The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

This is worth our consideration. Paul instructs the church so many centuries later, “You have the mind of Christ.” What a privilege! But will we seek that holy mind, or continue to rely on what our eyes see?

This spiritual eyesight, this heavenly vision, can be cultivated or it can be ignored. Will we let the mind of Christ be in us according to Philippians 2, or will we grieve the Holy Spirit by fleshly thinking?

The Lord's way of seeing might surprise us. Samuel would have picked the seven older sons of Jesse above the young one who was out in the field keeping the sheep. The Lord had not chosen the older ones. When David was brought before Samuel, the Lord said to Samuel, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Samuel obeyed the Word of God. Then God confirmed His Word by placing His Spirit upon David “from that day forward.”

Lord, speak to your children according to Your Word! But also, please confirm Your Word by the manifest work of Your Spirit that changes hearts and lives.

The Spirit of the Lord not only rushed upon David. He also departed from Saul. Instead of that good spirit, the Scriptures tell us that a “harmful spirit from the Lord” tormented the king. God was accomplishing His purposes, but even speaking about such things causes us to wonder what words we could use to describe what had taken place.

The servants of Saul saw the change in him, and they correctly said that this was from the Lord. They also were rightly aware that a servant who could play the lyre in his presence would be a help to Saul during his episodes of difficulty. Who was the man for the job? None other than young David, the new anointed of the Lord.

In former days, the Lord's Spirit had powerfully used Saul. But now he was tormented. Between this provision of David as the calming musician, and the next chapter's amazing account of David as the faithful warrior, the rejected king was introduced to the man who would replace him.

It troubles us to hear of temporary spiritual blessings. Saul had the Spirit. How could he not have the Spirit any more? But when the true Messiah King came, He would have the Spirit forever and beyond measure. As the reigning King of righteousness over all of God's people, He will never again face a moment when it could be said of Him that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Him.

Though words fail us in speaking of this horror, there was a day when the Father seemed to turn His face away from the Son for a time. Yet that day when Christ took the penalty for our sins was a necessary day of darkness. Through His cross and resurrection the King of peace has been provided for us. He has driven away from us the storm of the Lord's wrath that was coming against us.