1 Samuel 16:14 – 22 “After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.”
And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”
So, Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat, and sent them to Saul with his son David. When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer.
Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.”
The Spirit of the Lord has departed from Saul, but why? Originally, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as king over Israel; however, at critical moments when obedience was absolutely essential, Saul rebelled, giving only partial obedience, which was actually no obedience at all. The Holy Spirit will not remain where He is not welcome. Now a “spirit of distress from God” is troubling Saul. But is this spirit actually from God or from Satan? We might wonder if the Israelites have misinterpreted things; why might God send such a spirit on anybody? The Holy Spirit woos gently, but people can ignore the Holy Spirit. Perhaps God is sending a “spirit of distress” on Saul in hopes of bringing Saul to Himself. On the other hand, we know that Saul has steadfastly refused to obey the Lord for a long time. Perhaps this spirit of distress is from Satan because Saul has refused the protection of God’s Holy Spirit.
There is also another possibility regarding this spirit troubling Saul. When Saul was assigned to kill King Agag, he refused, leaving that job for Samuel. Could it be that Agag invoked the name of a pagan god that both Saul and he were worshiping? People are made for worship, and if they will not worship the One True Living God, they will still worship someone or something. We know that Saul has repeatedly spoken to Samuel about worshiping “Your (Samuel’s) Lord.” Can it be that Saul has been secretly worshiping demons and now the demons are troubling Saul? When David is playing the harp, he is likely playing songs of praise to the Lord, something that demons cannot tolerate, so they leave. David’s praise songs invite the presence of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of peace, and the Holy Spirit has already rushed on David at the time of Samuel’s anointing him. As long as David continues to praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit is present. Once David leaves, Saul’s presence, the Holy Spirit leaves with him.
APPLICATION: “There is no such thing as neutrality in the spiritual world!” It was the early 1990’s and I was conversing with a Catholic priest who had been initiated as a traditional diviner during his work on his doctoral thesis. We were discussing the Konkomba bush spirits, and my friend was insisting that these spirits were neutral, being neither for God nor for Satan. But I contended that such neutrality did not exist. I came to realize that my friend’s involvement with the occult had rendered him spiritually blind in this area.
Spiritual blindness and demon possession may go together! Today, there are so many things to distract us from God. Through the internet, we can access unlimited numbers of videos and watch them on cell phones for hours. We must carefully guard our hearts and minds so that we refuse to watch anything wrong or perverted. If we are not careful, we may come under the influence of the spirits that prompted those posting the videos.
We can access online church services and watch them as well. But notice something: David was actively involved in worship, and the Holy Spirit was with him. Saul was only in the presence of the Holy Spirit as long as David was present. When David would leave, the “spirit of distress” would return.
David was a worshiper, and if we desire the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we too must worship. “But,” you lament, “I can neither sing nor play an instrument.” Fine, but you can still think and speak. You can worship God just as much by praying prayers of gratitude and praise, as long as those prayers are from your heart. You can sing when you are by yourself and God will still hear your praises just as well as if you are in the midst of a big congregation.
Let us be very careful! The things you watch and listen to will continue to echo in your mind long after you are no longer watching or listening. Make sure you are feeding on the Word of God and on things that exalt Him, rather than casually submitting yourself to any influences available.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to be careful about the influences we allow into our minds and hearts. Help us to worship You in spirit and in truth every day of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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