The Way
The Boy Who Played the Lyre
The sound of a lyre in a darkened palace
Story
The Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the Lord tormented the king. A heavy shadow fell over the palace at Gibeah. His servants spoke up carefully: “Let us look for someone who plays the lyre well. When the evil spirit comes on you, he can play, and you will feel better.” Saul said, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
One of the young attendants stepped forward. “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem. He plays the lyre well, he is a brave warrior, he speaks wisely and he is fine to look at. And the Lord is with him.” So Saul sent word to Jesse: “Send me your son David, the one who tends the sheep.” Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat, and sent his son.
When Saul saw David he loved him dearly and made him his armor-bearer. Saul sent word to Jesse again: “Let David stay in my service. I am pleased with him.” From then on, whenever the evil spirit overwhelmed the king, the boy took up his lyre and plucked the strings. As the melody spread through the dark room, Saul could breathe again and grew better, and the evil spirit left him.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem. He plays the lyre well, he is brave, he speaks wisely and he is fine to look at. And the Lord is with him.
Find me someone who plays the lyre well and bring him to me.
Let David stay in my service. I am pleased with him.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Sam 16:14–23
Background
The lyre, called the kinnor in Hebrew, was a small stringed instrument with strings stretched across a wooden frame and plucked by hand. Gibeah, where Saul's palace stood, is thought to be Tell el-Ful, north of Jerusalem.
Pause and Reflect
Am I a small comfort to the weary people around me?