1 Samuel 16:21

The providence of God brings in David by means of one of Saul's servants who knew him, and presents him to Saul. Saul loves him and keeps him close. David becomes his armour-bearer, and he plays the harp when the evil spirit troubles Saul. David, in God's sight, is the anointed king, but he must suffer before he reigns, however great his energy may be.

An attendant on a warrior, filling a place of trust and honour. When Saul loved David he made him his armourbearer.

David did not hesitate to take his place as a servant, even in the house of a man who would later prove his most bitter enemy. It made no difference to him where he served or what he did. He would guard his father's flocks from lions and bears, or drive an evil spirit away from Saul.

Saul never imagined that the young harp player was taking his first step towards the throne. He never imagined that, when he sent for David, he was sending for the man whom God had anointed to be king. David knew as little. He was soothing with his beautiful music the spirit of the man who would soon become his bitterest enemy, and all the while he was entering a path where he must be disciplined for his high calling. At first Saul loved him greatly; but when he learned, as he soon did, that David was the chosen of God, he hated him to the death.

Saul is attracted to David. The melody has its effect, and he is for the time relieved. He greatly loves him too, and makes him his armour-bearer, but it goes no further. He is still the proud man, though God has rejected him. He has no thought of giving David the place which God had given him. Had he only known it, that place would have meant lasting peace for Saul himself.

Even Saul, at a given moment (1 Sam. 16:21), "loved [David] greatly," because of the relief that he brings him in his sufferings. Michal loves David in a natural way — which does not stop her from despising him later on (2 Sam. 6:16). Last of all, Jonathan loves him with the only love that is true, good, and lasting. He loves him as his own soul. He values him for what David is in himself.

Beauty, ability and power counted for much in Saul's view of David. But his love for David was soon tested and found wanting… Saul might be great, but David was greater. His love for David was forgotten; his indebtedness to David was forgotten. In his envious mind David became a dangerous enemy who was after his throne… Jesus, God's anointed Man, went through the same thing in a far greater measure. In prophecy it could be said of the Lord Jesus, "So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love" (Ps. 109:5).

Here is a solemn thought. There is a ministry of Christ so soothing that a soul's fears and distress may find some relief, without any cure that reaches the root. David is plainly a picture of Christ here. By His Spirit, Christ uses the ordinary ministry of His word, with its sweet story of God's love and care, of His power over evil, and of the comfort He brings to His own. That word gives comfort even to those whose hearts are far from God.