In 1 Samuel 16 God tells Samuel to move on because He has provided a king. The new king is already chosen, don’t belabor the past. Samuel takes oil for anointing and goes to Bethlehem. He sanctifies the people and prepares them for a sacrifice to the Lord. Jesse and his sons are among those who are ready for worship. God is choosing the king from Jesse’s house. Samuel sees his oldest son, how tall and handsome he is and is certain God will choose him. But God tells him not to look on his appearance, he is not the one, because God doesn’t see people the way we see people. All of Jesse’s sons are rejected by God for king. Samuel asks Jesse if he has any other sons and Jesse mentions his youngest son who is out in the field with the sheep. Samuel anoints David and the spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

The spirit of the Lord leaves Saul and God sends an evil spirit to torment him. Only the sound of a lyre (harp) playing soothed Saul. His servants hear that David is a proficient lyre player so Saul sends for him. David’s playing calms Saul’s spirit. He becomes a trusted companion and armor bearer to Saul.

God chooses the king and it is up to Samuel to find who it is. We must remember that God always goes before us preparing the situation so that in faith we can discover His purpose for our lives. He also works in ways that may not seem the best from a human standpoint. We are to trust in faith that God’s way is best even though it may not seem right on the surface.

You may be uncomfortable with the idea that God sends an evil spirit to torment Saul. In contemporary terms, Saul is most likely struggling with feelings of guilt, doubt and fear. He knows that he has gone against God’s commands and now has to live with the consequences. He also knows that God is no longer blessing his reign and will be choosing another to take his place. Certainly Saul is afraid of what it to come.

1 Samuel 17 opens with the Philistines and Israelites gathering for battle. The Philistines have a giant of a man, named Goliath, as a champion. He taunts the Israelites and says if any of them can kill him the Philistines will serve the Israelites, but if not, the Israelites will become the servants. The Israelites are frightened by Goliath’s threats.

David goes back and forth between taking care of the sheep for his father and serving Saul. Once when he is delivering food to his brothers on the front lines he hears Goliath shouting his taunts. David volunteers to fight Goliath, something no one else will do. Saul wonders how a boy can do what a man will not. David says he is not afraid because he has fought off wild animals taking care of the sheep. Saul tries to give David his armor to wear but it is too big. David goes to fight with his shepherd’s staff and a sling with 5 smooth stones.

Goliath is insulted by David’s approach. He taunts David and calls on his gods. David knows that God has sent him and tells Goliath that God will defeat him. David hurls a stone at Goliath and kills him on the spot. David brings Goliath’s head back to Saul as the victor.

Psalm 48 is a song of victory praising God for defending His people.