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The DEEP

Higher Purposes

produce awesome plot twists.

1 Samuel 16:14–23 (NIV)

Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.

Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

The Hebrew word that’s translated as “evil” (רָעָ֖ה, ra-ah) is translated as “harmful” in the ESV and “distressing” in the NKJV. They’re using the context to refine the meaning; “evil” is more literal.

But ra-ah just means “bad”—the opposite of good. When food spoils, it’s ra-ah. The NIV’s translation highlights the fact that God sent the spirit to torment Saul.

God didn’t just “allow” the spirit to torment Saul; it was “from” Him. This shoots down the notion that God isn’t directly involved in any unpleasantries.

He has higher purposes.


And those higher purposes come crashing through in the next few paragraphs. David’s skill playing the lyre leads to an awesome plot twist. It’s just the ticket for treating Saul’s torment.

And notice this little tidbit. Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

David’s music didn’t just make Saul feel better; it actually chased the “bad” spirit away. That’s not because bad spirits can’t stand music. It’s by design—God’s design.

And so, Saul, clueless as ever, forms a bond with his successor.


To forward this devotional, see the link below.

These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday ones are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to the DEEP click here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, can be downloaded here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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