Saul With A Spear And David With A Harp

Sample Sermon from the book, "Is God Alive in Your Heart?" by Pastor Ock Soo Park of the Good News Mission.

David was a shepherd. Leading his father's flock of sheep to the pastures or waters, he would play a music with his harp, thanking the Lord. While praising the Lord with a harp under the tree and watching over the flock, he was summoned by Saul. Saul had been so afflicted by the distressing spirit from God that he asked David a music for him. As David played a music with his harp, the distressing spirit departed and Saul became refreshed and peaceful.

One day, he went to the war and fought with Goliath. By defeating Goliath, he became the commander of the army. After that, he still played the music with a harp for Saul whenever he was caught up with the distressing spirit.

"And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in saul's hand. And Saul cast the javelin: for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice." (1 Samuel 18:10, 11) King Saul and David the commander dwelt together in the palace. That day, as the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, and he was afflicted, David began to play a harp for him. David had a harp in his hand, while, Saul had a spear. He cast the spear twice to kill David, but David managed to avoid it through the grace of God.

Reading the story, I thought it over. Why should Saul have a spear in his hand? He was not in the battlefield, but in the palace with the guards. Although he was surrounded by many people who were protecting him, he had to catch a spear in his hand. The reason why he always kept a spear in his hand, whatever he did, was because he feared that someone would harm or kill him. He had prepared for the war, assembling the brave at every opportunity practicing how to use the spears, but eventually he and his sons were destroyed by the sword.

David, however, had a harp in his hand, while he was a shepherd, remained before Saul, and was a commander of the army. He wrote many psalms which were praising God. Whatever things he confronted, he sang a song, playing the harp.In Psalms, the titles named 'To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David' or 'To the Chief Musician, With Stringed Instruments, A Contemplation of David' are often seen. David wrote many psalms all through his life in his bitter days or joyful days, praising and glorifying the Lord. They are so touching.

Two men remained in the palace. And one had a spear in his hand, but the other, a harp. Nobody tried to kill Saul, but he was always nervous with the fearful thought that somebody would harm him. Because he thought his son had made a covenant with David to kill him, he sought to destroy David. In the course of seeking David, he slaughtered 80 priests of God. So, when he was under the urgent circumstance, he could not go to the priests to inquire of the Lord. Instead, he asked a medium.

DAVID HAD MANY ENEMIES

It was not because David had no enemy that he had a harp in his hand. When Saul cast the spear twice, he should have thrown away his harp and protected himself with a spear. He did not do so, however. Besides Saul, there arose many enemies against David."Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? Many are they that rise up against me." (Psalms 3:1)

But he still had a harp with which he praised God. It was not because he was brave or wise. As he trusted himself to the Almighty God, instead of protecting himself by his own way, he could play a harp in his bitter days. He confessed, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;" (Psalms 23:4) Walking through the valley of the shadow of death, he said to Jonathan his friend, "There is but a step between me and death" (1 Samuel 20:3) Because of the faith that God kept him, David did not try to protect himself not fear any harm. Like his psalms, he experienced the danger of death many times and had many enemies who were killing him. But he could play a harp instead of bearing a shield and a sword, for he had the faith that God would keep him safe. Even though nobody would kill Saul, he had to protect himself, because he had no faith that God keeps him. Walking in the palace, he could not let go the spear.