1 Samuel 16:20

As soon as David is called to the throne, Saul's moral condition changes completely. Until that day the Spirit of God had been with the king according to the flesh. This explains each of Saul's successes against the enemies of Israel. Now the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David (v. 13) and departs from Saul, who is left in the power of "an evil spirit from Jehovah" (v. 14). This is a judgment from God, a chastisement on the king... At the same time God shows that His Spirit alone can raise up the evil spirit and drive it away. We see this when David takes a harp and plays with his hand before Saul.

1 Samuel 16:14-23 shows the state of the Jewish political and religious system, which God had rejected. It shows our Lord's connection with that system as such. And it shows the character of His ministry to it, as the one anointed to take its place.

It must have been to Jesse and to David a striking sign of God's leading that Saul should require his service. In his coming he brings a present to Saul of bread, wine and a young goat, all typical of Christ and His sacrifice. David's character made Saul love him greatly, and Saul made him his armour-bearer. Later, however, that love turned to something close to hatred. Saul realised David was better qualified to be king than he was.

One feature in David's character marks him in every scene he passes through. It is there when we first see him as the shepherd in Bethlehem. It is still there when he hands the throne of Israel over to his son Solomon. He was at all times and in all scenes the servant. At the start of his history he is slighted and forgotten, and even his father thinks little of him. He was the youngest son, and his father tells Samuel that David is out keeping the sheep. From this place of scorn and neglect, however, God in clear favour draws him out and anoints him to the throne of Israel. Yet this anointing worked in everything to keep him the servant.

The servants' idea of relief is that a sweet singer should soothe the poor king in his hours of despair. With Saul's approval they suggest just the man for it. It is none other than David; and how the providence of God brings him into the king's presence! Here is a solemn thought. Some ministry of Christ is so soothing that it eases a soul's fears and distress to some degree, yet works no real cure. David here is clearly a picture of Christ. By His Spirit, Christ ministers His word in ordinary ways. That word tells of God's love and care, of His power over evil, and of the comfort He gives His own. It brings comfort even to those whose hearts are still far from God.

God might use David's ministry and music to relieve Saul, and perhaps to profit him too. Still, it did not advance things at all. David leaves Saul's house and is forgotten by those he had benefited. He went back simply and naturally to keep his father's sheep... From the very first it was important that David should owe nothing to the king on the throne. God had rejected Saul, and the two houses had to stay distinct and separate.