King Saul Finds Peace With David's Music

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 16

From Saul's Journal

I couldn't put my finger on the problem. 


No matter what I tried, I couldn't think of a strategy even when I stooding right in the middle of the battle. My head swirled with crazy thoughts, and none of them useful.


My appetite had left. My servants tried their best to please me, I know they worked hard, but every time they brought a platter of my favorite foods my stomach churned and I felt sick. 


I wasn't sick. I just couldn't pull myself together. Something was wrong.


I got angry about everything. Yesterday, in the throne room, citizens lined up to petition me with a problem. Their hands twirled in worry circles and their eyes were red from crying. Before each person said a word, fire flew in my veins from my toes to my head. I leaped toward the person and shout something mean. 


Sigh. This was not what I should be doing.


Why did Samuel leave me? It's his fault I was plagued with problems. If he stayed by my side I would hear his instructions. 


I know...I shouldn't have offered the sacrifice at the battle with the Philistines. I should have waited for Samuel to arrive no matter how late the hour. 


And...okay, he's probably upset about the monument I made for myself after the battle against Agog. Shouldn't I be proud of my victory? If Samuel visited me like he use to, I'd feel better.


One morning my trusted servants said, "My lord, there's got to be a distressing spirit troubling you. If you command us to search for a man who is a skillful player on the harp, we will go."


Why? Nothing would help. 


There was no way to stop the angry feelings inside. It was like a monster pulling on my muscles and breathing fire all over my body. I don't know why I agreed, but I said, "Yes, find me a man who can play a harp well and bring him here."


The angry monster grew stronger that night. I couldn't sleep. I didn't know what to do. The next morning my servants stood before me. "My lord, we found the son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite. He's skillful in playing the harp, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person...and the Lord is with him."


I shook my head and sighed. Could such a man ease the angry and confused feelings pounding in my head? I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. "Yes, bring him to me."


Later that day my servants returned with a young man. He brought gifts, a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat. The gifts didn't make me any better. What I needed was to think clearly, to be motivated to fight, to make strong decisions.


Still, the young man did seem to be everything my servants said. Maybe his music would help. "Play  your harp."


I didn't think the music would help. He plucked a few strings and stopped for a moment. The tone rang in the room, a soothing crystal sound. It sounded like a sweet song from the birds perched in fruit trees.


I felt...yes, I felt the monster inside cowering back away. "Play more." His fingers glided along the strings like a master. The sound echoed off the walls and resonated to the ceiling and back to the floor.


My muscles relaxed. So much so, I nearly fell asleep. 


Such peaceful sound. My heart felt...dare I say, happy? This was the same peace I had felt only when Samuel stood by my side. My head cleared, allowing me to me think. 


I must admit, David's music brought such peace, sweet peace.


I sent word to his father, "Please let young David stay in my service, for he has found favor in my sight."


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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Why did Saul feel troubled?
2. Could he figure out what to do?
3. What did his servants suggest?
4. Describe David
5. What did David bring King Saul?
6. What happened when Saul listened to the music?
7. The music David played was not any ordinary music. Why was it special?