1 Samuel 16:19

The Spirit of Jehovah came upon David and left Saul, and at the same time an evil spirit troubles Saul. God's providence brings David in through one of Saul's servants who knew him, and presents him to Saul.

When the eye is fixed on doing the will of God — the only thing worth anything in this world — how happy it is to leave everything with God! We see this in David's history. If David had set out to win a place at court, he could hardly have gained it. But he never gave it a thought, and the Lord brought him before the king in a simple, fitting way. This is the first move.

At Saul's court David played. When he was no longer needed there, he went back to his first job, keeping his father's sheep in the wilderness. He knew his place and kept it. In that place he learned about God in a way others had not, and that lesson fitted him for future usefulness.

He had been preparing for public service in the secret school of Him who does not look on the outward appearance, and who does not see as man sees. It must be the same with us. We must live before the Lord. Unless our souls are exercised before Him, He will not use us as instruments in His service. God will always deal in secret with the soul that He intends to serve Him in public.

When Saul asked for such a musician, one of his servants suggested a son of Jesse — none other than David, whom Samuel had anointed without Saul's knowledge. His credentials were of a high order. First, he was a skillful musician. Second, a brave man. Third, a man of war. Fourth, skilled in speech. Fifth, well presented in person. And last, but most important, the Lord was with him.

David, however, did not hesitate to take his place as a servant, even in the house of the man who would later prove his most bitter enemy. It made no difference to him where he served or what he did. He would protect his father's flocks from lions and bears, or drive an evil spirit away from Saul. In fact, from the moment David's history opens, he appears as a servant, ready for any work.

Saul seems to have had little idea who was standing in front of him, whose music refreshed his troubled spirit. He did not know that the future king of Israel was there with him. "Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer." Selfish Saul was happy to use David's services in his hour of need, though he was ready to shed his blood once he understood who and what he was.

But God does not set David at once in the height of power, as He did in the case of Saul. He must make his way through all kinds of difficulties by grace and faith. Though he is filled with the Holy Spirit, he must act in front of a power that has no Spirit, and that God has not yet set aside. He must submit and be humbled. He must feel how completely he depends on God, and that God is enough in every circumstance. A beautiful picture of One who, without sin, walked through far more painful circumstances!