1 Samuel 16:14-23

Our view of God is often colored by our human expectations, instead of His holiness. We expect Him to always do what we think is good, never to be harsh or judgmental. Problem is, our mamby-pamby view of God just doesn’t mesh with Scripture. Like our story today…

The story behind the story

• Before Pentecost, the Spirit’s role was selective and temporary
• In the OT, the Spirit ‘came on’ and ‘left’ people (it showed!)
• Saul’s loss is David’s gain…

The story in a nut-shell

• God sends an “evil spirit” that terrorizes Saul
• Saul’s advisers suggest “music therapy”
• David is called to come and play his harp
• David’s playing provides relief for Saul

Answering the Tough Questions

• What really happened to Saul?
  He rebelled against God; God sent a spirit to torment him.
• Does God do this sort of thing?
  Yes! Compare with 1 Kings 22:19-23, etc.
• What’s wrong with Saul’s response?
  Looking for a human solution to a spiritual problem (18:10-11)

Morals of the Story

• Spiritual disobedience leads to real-life consequences!
• Man treats the symptoms; God treats the ‘root cause’!
• What ‘root cause’ does God want to treat in your life?

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a stedfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NAS)

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