1 Samuel 16:19-23
Verse 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
The king’s servant finds David and though a known warrior, he is back in his normal job as a shepherd. He was living his best life at the place that God had been training him for years. Leading a bunch of sheep would help him lead the people when he became king. He is still working with his dad as is noted by his dad sending him with gifts for the king. And then we see that Saul sent word to Jesse that he wanted to keep David in his service. It seems the king felt it necessary to ask permission of Jesse for David to remain in his service.
Saul liked David. He didn’t know him well, but there was something about this kid that made Saul want to keep him around. To make David his armor-bearer meant that the king trusted him. You wouldn’t want to have someone holding your shield that you feared would fail you when it counted. This would be more important to a king as there would be a bigger target on him. War is brutal and in those days the overtaking of a king meant you won the battle. A king couldn’t afford to be careless about who his armor-bearers were.
A king couldn’t take any chances with his mental battles either as a king that went mad would not be allowed to rule for long and there may even be some questions regarding the mental fitness of any descendant. To maintain his reign and his son’s right to the throne following his death, the king would need to do whatever he could to be mentally fit.
King Saul had a third area though that he was struggling with. Although he may not have been able to pinpoint what was going on, he was dealing with an inner spiritual battle. This battle wasn’t happening in a continuous pattern but rather it came and went at the Lord’s control. Saul’s spiritual battle was a result of his choices. God rejected Saul because Saul had rejected God.
When we are tormented by thoughts and concerns that are dragging us down it is so hard to see any joy in life. And it is those times that we need to step back and look at our relationship with God. It may be that our struggles have something to do with the health of our relationship with Him.
Making It Personal
Can you tell that you a in a spiritual slump by your mental wellness? What steps do you take to make sure that you are healthy spiritually? What can you do to help others when they are in a spiritual battle?
Making It Personal Kids
Are there times that you feel particularly sad? What are some things that make you sad? How does Jesus make you happy?
Closing Prayer
Father, we confess that there are times when we don’t obey You and then find ourselves in a depressive state. Give us the wisdom to stay close to You and take the steps to grow even closer to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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