Read our text. Last week we studied about David’s anointing as a youth. It seems that he was about 15 years old at that time. A few years had passed since that event. David was now a skilled harpist. He practiced for hours as he tended the sheep in the field.

As David drew closer to God, King Saul drifted further from God. God allowed an evil spirit to trouble him. He was so plagued by the demonic influence of that evil spirit that his servants begged him to find a harpist to play soothing music to calm his soul.

Transition

This evening we are going to look at three events in teen David’s life that contain principles for our lives.

David’s Godly Reputation (v.17-18)

  1. One of Saul’s servants knew David.
    1. The word for servant here refers to a boy, lad, servant, youth, or a household worker. He worked around Saul’s palace, perhaps as a cleaner, or a cook, or a gardener, or a laundry boy. He was just an ordinary young man.
    2. Though this young servant was an insignificant worker, but God used him in a special way in this situation. If you are willing, God will use you.
    3. (1 Corinthians 1:26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.
  2. Though young, David had a reputation.
    1. As far as we can tell, David must have been in his late teens at this time.
    2. The young servant told Saul what he had seen in teen David’s life.
      1. David was a cunning player. He knew well how to play stringed instruments.
      2. David was a mighty valiant man and a man of war. David was a brave strong lad, the kind that would make a great soldier. He had killed a lion and bear.
      3. David was prudent in matters. This speaks of his skill in speaking, perhaps referring to his ability to write and sing songs.
      4. David was a comely person. He was good-looking.
      5. The Lord was with David. This was the key to David’s success. The Holy Spirit came upon him a few years earlier when he was anointed by Samuel (v.13). The Lord had chosen David because He knew that David would be a man after His own heart (1Sa 13:14).
        ☆ If you know the Lord as your Saviour, the Holy Spirit lives in you and you live in Him. Paul said in (Galatians 5:25), If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit, in submissive, obedient, harmony with His will, it is then that others will see that the Lord is with us as He was with David. Your reputation is what people know about you.

David’s Royal Invitation (v.19-22)

  1. Saul sent messengers to invite David to the Palace
    1. Actually the invitation was more of a demand. He was summoned by the king.
    2. My guess is that this was a terrifying invitation for David.
      1. It was an awesome honour to be invited to play his harp in the palace. That alone would be a fearful thing to do.
      2. However, David knew that God had anointed him. Did David know his anointing was to be the next king? I tend to think so. What if Saul knew of this and the invitation was a plot to get David?
    3. If David was afraid, he placed his fears in the hands of the Lord. His dad, Jesse, packed his provisions and sent him on his way (v.20). (Psalm 56:3) What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
  2. David entered the palace (v.21)
    1. David stood before Saul. He ministered to Saul.
    2. Saul loved him greatly.
    3. He became Saul’s armourbearer. This word “armourbearer” means a bearer of instruments. In the context I believe it refers to bearing musical instruments and not instruments of war. David became the palace musician.
    4. Saul requested of Jesse that David be allowed to stay in the palace for an extended period (v.22).
      ☆ If David was afraid to go to the palace, God took care of him and calmed any fears. Because God was with David, He blessed his work and the king loved to have him around. That ought to be true of every one of us. If you will stay close to God, God will bless the things you do.

David’s Musical Presentation (v.23)

  1. God used David’s music to calm Saul
    1. His music refreshed and healed Saul.
    2. His music caused the evil spirit to leave.
  2. David’s musical presentation is instructive.
    1. David’s music teaches us many things about music.
      1. Music is NOT amoral. It DOES influence your life.
      2. Music without words is NOT amoral. David played his music with his hand. Nothing is mentioned of singing.
      3. Music has the ability to refresh, heal, and cause evil spirits to leave.
      4. This music was played by a godly man.
    2. David’s music gives us principles to apply to our music.
      1. We must never think that music is neutral. All music has an influence on your spirit whether it has words or not. The tune of music will either calm or corrupt. Music with words may double the impact on your life for good or for evil.
      2. Normal music emphasizes the normal beat like 1, 2, 3, 4. This is calming and soothing music.
      3. When wholesome words are added to normal music, it may become even more calming and soothing. If the words are biblical, the music becomes spiritually edifying.
      4. Normal music, played by a godly musician, has the ability to refresh, heal, and push out the devil’s influence on your life.
      5. The opposite of normal music is backbeat music. This is music that emphasizes the back beat or off beat like 1, 2, 3, 4. Rock and rap are typical backbeat music. Backbeat’s message is a message of rebellion against God. It appeals to the flesh. It excites the base desires. It is very addictive. “Backbeat dominates in most rock music songs, hard, soft or otherwise.”John Blanchard, Can We Rock the Gospel?” p. 55
      6. Backbeat music, played by ungodly musicians, has the ability to stir up, make spiritually sick, and invite the devil’s influence on your life.
      7. If wholesome words are added to backbeat music, they usually clash with the tune. If biblical words are added to backbeat music, they create a contradictory message.
      8. Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is a dangerous bridge between normal Christian music and backbeat music. It uses the backbeat tune of rebellious music and adds some religious words. It is often written, played, and made popular by less than godly people. It is the sparkplug that ignites the Charismatic Movement.
        ☆ We dare not choose our music based on our feelings. Our flesh may like backbeat music. No matter how nice or religious the words, listening to CCM will not make you godlier.

Conclusion

What kind of reputation do you have? Do people see that God is with you? Are you staying close to God so He is able to bless your life? What kind of music do you listen to? The music you enjoy will either draw you near the Lord and make you godlier or it will quench the Spirit and make you more rebellious. You cannot mix the two. If you listen to CCM, you are hurting your walk with God.

Song: More Like the Master – 325
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Teen David Harpist
28 June 2015 PM – 1 Samuel 16:14-23 – Life of David – Scott Childs