Notes: July 4, 2008 – 1 Samuel 16

David is chosen to replace Saul

Meditation Points:

  • “How long will you mourn for Saul” (vs. 1)? Are you clinging to a past relationship rather than progressing with God?
  • “I have rejected him” (vs. 1). If God has plainly rejected a person’s leadership, then why would I mourn about it?
  • “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature” (vs. 7). Saul was head and shoulders taller than all the others; and we see that he was a terrible king. Don’t be impressed by a person’s size.
  • “The Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (vs 7). Judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). Do you see people the way that God sees them, or are you blinded by unholy humanism and emotion?
  • “The Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (vs. 13). With God present and enabling, what can a man do?
  • “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him” (vs. 15). You will be filled by a spirit. Which one will it be?
  • “Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles you” (vs 15). Sometimes others know the source of our problems, even when we are unaware of our condition.
  • “The LORD is with him” (vs. 18). Has anyone ever said this about you?
  • “When the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” (vs. 23). Frank Garlock, of Bob Jones University, is well known for preaching on the effects of music on our bodies, our minds, and our souls. You may disagree with his ultimate conclusions and preferences of music genre, but you cannot deny his thesis that we should be careful what we hear.

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