I Samuel 15-17

The presence of the Spirit of God coming upon His chosen people in the Tanakh is most notable with David and contrasted by the distressing spirit sent to trouble Saul. Going back to Exodus we first see the Spirit of God filling Bezalel from the tribe of Judah with wisdom, understanding and knowledge to design and work as an artisan to build the tabernacle, the Spirit of God came upon the judges of Israel namely Othniel, Jephthah and Samson. Anointed by Samuel the Spirit of God came upon both king Saul and king David, though interestingly the Spirit of God left Saul and was replaced with a distressing or troubling spirit. 

I Samuel 16:13-14 (NKJV) "Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him."

Who does Saul call to qualm the distressing spirit? David, who is filled with the Spirit of God and anointed king is called upon to play the harp to refresh king Saul's spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit of God is a truth from the Tanakh and the New Testament, the gifts and functions of the Spirit are linked to total obedience and fear of the LORD as seen by Saul's rebellion and stubbornness against God. The proper alignment of my heart must be toward pleasing the LORD through faithful obedience and therefore reap the benefits and blessing of His conditional covenantal love. For our purpose to live is to fear God and keep his commandments, this is our greatest duty: to please and glorify God. 

I Samuel 15:22 (NIV) "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."


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