David Serves Saul

Saul begins to live under torment after the Spirit departs from him, and his servants propose music as relief. One servant recommends David, describing both his skill and the Lord's presence with him.

N¹⁴ow the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. ¹⁵Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶Let 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.” ¹⁷And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.” ¹⁸One 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.”

Saul sends for David, and Jesse sends him with gifts from home. David enters Saul's service, wins his favor, and repeatedly brings Saul relief with his harp when distress comes upon him.

¹⁹So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. ²¹When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. ²²Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” ²³And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.