And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
In God's providence David was brought to Saul's notice and entered his household and service as attendant and armor-bearer. He was qualified for this place as a skillful musician on the harp, a valiant man of war, prudent and faithful in all matters, and guided by the Lord. Even as a shepherd lad he stood before the established monarch holding to God's promise that he would become king.
Saul at times felt humbled and wanted one who knew God's will to help in governing the kingdom, so while in a favorable state of mind he sent messengers for David. He thought that one favored by God would be a safeguard to him and might save his life from his enemies. Saul soon loved David greatly and trusted him, and David's prudent and faithful conduct won Saul's confidence. Saul expressed delight in David and his music.
David ministered before the king with skillful, lofty, heaven-inspired strains to soothe his troubled spirit until the evil spirit should depart. His playing dispelled the gloom and brooding melancholy that settled like a dark cloud over Saul's mind and brought his excited mind into a more rational and happy state. At times sacred music even stirred Saul to devotion, praise, and prayer. Saul's character in this setting combined strength and weakness, tender and sympathetic yet jealous, overbearing, unjust, and cruel, so that good and evil struggled within him. When the excitement of the music passed he returned to his former disposition, and sought to keep his power against David's trust in the promise.
David's youthful stay at court and connection with the king's household gave him insight into the cares, sorrows, and perplexities concealed by the glitter and pomp of royalty. He saw there how little worth human glory has to bring peace to the soul. Through hardship and changing circumstances he was there prepared to become ruler of Israel. When his services were not required at court he maintained his simplicity of spirit and demeanor and returned to his flocks among the hills and sheepfolds, leaving the king's house for the fields and hills of his pasture with a sense of relief and gladness.
In God's providence David was brought to Saul's notice and entered his household and service as attendant and armor-bearer. He was qualified for this place as a skillful musician on the harp, a valiant man of war, prudent and faithful in all matters, and guided by the Lord. Even as a shepherd lad he stood before the established monarch holding to God's promise that he would become king.
Saul at times felt humbled and wanted one who knew God's will to help in governing the kingdom, so while in a favorable state of mind he sent messengers for David. He thought that one favored by God would be a safeguard to him and might save his life from his enemies. Saul soon loved David greatly and trusted him, and David's prudent and faithful conduct won Saul's confidence. Saul expressed delight in David and his music.
David ministered before the king with skillful, lofty, heaven-inspired strains to soothe his troubled spirit until the evil spirit should depart. His playing dispelled the gloom and brooding melancholy that settled like a dark cloud over Saul's mind and brought his excited mind into a more rational and happy state. At times sacred music even stirred Saul to devotion, praise, and prayer. Saul's character in this setting combined strength and weakness, tender and sympathetic yet jealous, overbearing, unjust, and cruel, so that good and evil struggled within him. When the excitement of the music passed he returned to his former disposition, and sought to keep his power against David's trust in the promise.
David's youthful stay at court and connection with the king's household gave him insight into the cares, sorrows, and perplexities concealed by the glitter and pomp of royalty. He saw there how little worth human glory has to bring peace to the soul. Through hardship and changing circumstances he was there prepared to become ruler of Israel. When his services were not required at court he maintained his simplicity of spirit and demeanor and returned to his flocks among the hills and sheepfolds, leaving the king's house for the fields and hills of his pasture with a sense of relief and gladness.