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Serving Others  |
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| [ Samuel 16:14 - 16:23 ] | | |
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14. Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
15. Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
16. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."
17. So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
18. one of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
19. Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
20. So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.
22. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
23. 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.
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Reflection |
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Preparation for Service (16:14–18)
David has spent many long and lonesome days in the fields with his sheep, singing and strumming his harp, probably never contemplating that one day he would be called upon to play in the king’s court and for the king himself. Word of his skillful playing reaches Saul’s inner circle, and he is commissioned to minister to the king who finds himself spiritually tormented. But beyond his musical talent, there is one profound external observation of David that should strike us—that “the LORD is with him” (v. 18). When the world recognizes our talents, it may or may not glorify God. But when the world recognizes God’s presence in our lives, it absolutely glorifies God because we are reflecting the Father as Jesus did.
Participation in Service (16:19–23)
Samuel expressed fear in anointing David as king when he considered Saul’s potential reaction. David does not share this same fear. When Saul calls for him, he comes without hesitation and serves him. However, David does not see what he is doing as something new or different. He is simply doing what he has done for many years prior; the only difference is that now it is in the company of royalty as opposed to animals. We would do well to take heed of this example because God is our audience regardless of whether a king or even a human is in our presence.
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Application |
- Can those around you observe God’s presence and power in your life? If not, is it because of a sin that has not been dealt with, or a simple unwillingness to be a witness of Christ?
- How eager are you to serve when it is in front of the right “audience”? Are you willing to serve in the quietness of your loneliness, trusting that God will not allow one minute of your life to go to waste?
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A Letter to
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Lord Jesus, may Your presence be so evident in my life that when others see me, they see You. May I give my utmost regardless of my audience because I am doing it for You. Amen.
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