The Man Behind the Harp part 4

The Man Behind the Harp part 4

            As we know David was chosen to play for Saul because he was a skillful musician.  Now let us look at some other considerations of David's life that caused him to succeed.  In I Samuel 16:18b one of Saul's servants said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite that is cunning in playing [see Chapter I The Music of the Bible] and a might valiant (chayil 2428)^A man, and a man of war, and prudent (biyn 995)^A in matters (dabar 1697)^A, and a comely (toar 8389)^A person, and the LORD is with him."

            So, he was a skillful player, a man of substance or virtue, a military man, and a man who could distinguish mentally in matters of communication or speech (A.V. margin).  We know that David was skillful in language and communication from his master works in the Book of Psalms.  Thompson reminds us that "His musical and poetic gifts were great and they were consecrated (as such gifts should be) to the glory of God and to the good of men."  Thompson, Introducing Biblical Literature. p. 312.