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While young David was keeping his
sheep in the fields of Bethlehem, and singing his beautiful songs of
praise to God, Saul was in his house at Gibeah, very unhappy. He had
no comfort, none to love him and make him happy. When God went away
from Saul, Satan came to him; for if God's Holy Spirit is not in our
hearts, Satan must be there. He likes to tempt people and make them
sin; and he will try to make them worse and worse, till at last he brings
them to hell. We must pray God to give us grace to resist the devil,
that he may flee from us, and that the Holy Spirit may come and dwell in
our hearts. Saul did not
pray; and now Satan was with him, making him every day more and more
rebellious, and passionate, and cruel. He was often like a mad man,
so wild and angry. Saul's servants were sorry to see their master
unhappy, and they spoke kindly to him, and tried to comfort him, and said
to him, "Let us seek a man who can play upon the harp; and let him
come and play before thee; and thou shalt be well." Saul
answered, "Yes, bring me a man who can play well." Then
one of the servants said, "I know a young man who is very clever in
playing upon the harp; he is a brave man, and very wise too; and God is
with him. He is a son of Jesse, and his name is David."
Then Saul commanded his servant to go, and bring David to him. So
the servant went to Jesse, and told him Saul's command; and David made
himself ready directly, and went to the king's house. Saul soon
loved David, and told him to stay at his court, and made him his
armor-bearer; and when the evil spirit came upon Saul, David used to play
to him upon the harp. The sweet music comforted Saul, and made him
better; and the evil spirit went away. But David's music could not
change Saul's heart. It had no power to take away his sin, and to
make him at peace with God. Saul was well for a little time, but
soon the evil spirit returned. God
alone has power to make us always truly happy. Only the Holy Spirit
in our hearts can give us true peace. Saul had not this, because he
did not ask for it. He did not pray God to take away the evil
spirit, and to give him a new heart. He was pleased with David's
music, but he did not care about the holy things which David loved so
much. Saul wanted to forget his misery, but he did not want to
return to God.
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