THE YOUNG HARPER BEFORE THE DEJECTED KING

OUTLINE OF FIRST SAMUEL

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MONARCHY

INTRODUCTION

The two books of Samuel were originally one in Hebrew. The division was first made where the Old Testament was translated into Greek, the amount of space required by that language making it impracticable to write the entire book upon a single roll.

The authorship of these books cannot be determined, but there is abundant evidence that they embody the report of eye-witnesses. Some of the more prominent characters in the scenes described are name as writers in 1Ch_29:29.

The First Book of Samuel records the rise of a new political and spiritual order represented by the kings and the prophets. The establishment of the monarchy, with Saul as the first king, is an epochal event in the development of Israel’s national life.

Of no less importance is the appearance of the “schools of the prophets” under the leadership of Samuel. In these institutions we see the beginning of the movement which made Israel spiritually supreme among the nations.

III. FROM THE ANOINTING OF DAVID TO THE DEATH OF SAUL, I Samuel 16-31

1. Samuel Anoints David to Succeed Saul, 1Sa_16:1-23

31. Why did Saul send for David?

1 Samuel 16:14-23

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and terrified him.

Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.

“Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.”

So Saul told his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.”

One of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a brave and competent man, a warrior, discerning (prudent, eloquent) in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the flock.”

Jesse took a donkey [loaded with] bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul with David his son.

Then David came to Saul and attended him. Saul loved him greatly and [later] David became his armor bearer.

Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Please let David be my attendant, for he has found favor in my sight.”

So it came about that whenever the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, David took a harp and played it with his hand; so Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would leave him.

F.B.Meyer
On
1 Samuel 16:14-23

In one sentence we are told of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David, 1Sa_16:13, and in the next of the departure of the Spirit from Saul. This does not necessarily imply that all religious sensibility had become extinct, but that the special enduement which had fitted him for his kingly office had been withdrawn. An evil spirit “from the Lord” troubled him; that is, God permitted this spirit to enter. The garrison of peace and love had, been willfully dismissed by Saul, and by the inevitable operation of the divine law, as He had banished the light, he was necessarily left in darkness. God gave him up to a reprobate mind, Rom_1:24; Rom_1:26; Rom_1:28.

The king’s depression demanded an antidote, which was provided by music. Philip V of Spain was helped in the same fashion. The minstrel was none other than the young shepherd so recently anointed. A directing Providence superintends every incident in life. That a servant of Saul’s had seen David in some country contest was only a link in the chain, 1Sa_16:18. God has a plan for each life. “All things work together for good to them that love God,” Rom_8:28.

We give thanks and acknowledgement to Rick Meyers from e-Sword.
P.O. Box 1626
Franklin, TN 37065
United States of America
www.e-sword.net

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By Philippus Schutte

New Covenant Israelite! "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee."  Rom 11:17 -18