And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
The saying of the servants belongs after God had rejected Saul from the throne, in the confrontation between David, a shepherd lad with God's promise of the throne, and Saul, the established king determined to keep his power. The troubling by an evil spirit describes his brooding melancholy and strange distracted exhibitions, like a dark cloud over his mind that nearly cost him his reason. In bitter rebellion and despair he showed no true repentance, no clear sense of the offensiveness of his disobedience, and no reform of life, but dwelt on what he saw as God's injustice in taking the throne of Israel and the succession from his posterity, felt his valor against his enemies should offset his disobedience, and refused to accept chastisement with meekness until his haughty spirit became desperate.
His was a divided character in which good and evil struggled for supremacy. At times he felt humbled and anxious that one who knew from the Lord how to act according to His will should take charge of the government of the kingdom. Those who witnessed his condition recommended music for its soothing influence on his mind, counseling that a skillful musician be sought in hope that soothing notes would calm him.
In God's providence this counsel brought David to Saul's notice as a skillful musician and harp player whose strains were lofty and heaven-inspired, and as a valiant man of war who was prudent and faithful in all matters because especially guided by the Lord. While in a favorable state of mind Saul sent messengers for him, soon loved him, and made him his armor-bearer and attendant, thinking that if David was favored by God he would be a safeguard to him and save his life when exposed to enemies. David's skillful playing on the harp soothed Saul's troubled spirit, dispelled the gloom that settled on him, charmed the melancholy away, and brought his excited mind into a more rational and happy state until the evil spirit departed from him. Sacred music could move Saul to devotion and eloquent praise and prayer, but the effect was temporary and after the intense excitement passed he returned to his former disposition, and when opposed he became furious and acted in ways that dishonored himself and God.
The saying of the servants belongs after God had rejected Saul from the throne, in the confrontation between David, a shepherd lad with God's promise of the throne, and Saul, the established king determined to keep his power. The troubling by an evil spirit describes his brooding melancholy and strange distracted exhibitions, like a dark cloud over his mind that nearly cost him his reason. In bitter rebellion and despair he showed no true repentance, no clear sense of the offensiveness of his disobedience, and no reform of life, but dwelt on what he saw as God's injustice in taking the throne of Israel and the succession from his posterity, felt his valor against his enemies should offset his disobedience, and refused to accept chastisement with meekness until his haughty spirit became desperate.
His was a divided character in which good and evil struggled for supremacy. At times he felt humbled and anxious that one who knew from the Lord how to act according to His will should take charge of the government of the kingdom. Those who witnessed his condition recommended music for its soothing influence on his mind, counseling that a skillful musician be sought in hope that soothing notes would calm him.
In God's providence this counsel brought David to Saul's notice as a skillful musician and harp player whose strains were lofty and heaven-inspired, and as a valiant man of war who was prudent and faithful in all matters because especially guided by the Lord. While in a favorable state of mind Saul sent messengers for him, soon loved him, and made him his armor-bearer and attendant, thinking that if David was favored by God he would be a safeguard to him and save his life when exposed to enemies. David's skillful playing on the harp soothed Saul's troubled spirit, dispelled the gloom that settled on him, charmed the melancholy away, and brought his excited mind into a more rational and happy state until the evil spirit departed from him. Sacred music could move Saul to devotion and eloquent praise and prayer, but the effect was temporary and after the intense excitement passed he returned to his former disposition, and when opposed he became furious and acted in ways that dishonored himself and God.