David: A Model Musician
a meditation by Charles Hulin IV (2004)
I Samuel 16:14-23

In this passage, David is brought to Saul to give him relief from an evil spirit 
by playing music for him. The passage includes a list of qualities that David 
possessed. Scholars suggest that this list is mostly the resume of a future 
king, but I think it can also serve as a list of qualities that we would do well 
to develop as Christian musicians.

1. David was skillful in playing. It was this skill that brought him to the 
attention of Saul and earned him a place in Saul’s life, heart, and court.

2. He was willing to serve others by sharing his talent. This would have been 
how Saul’s servant knew about his skill.

3. He was a person of valor. Artists need courage to reveal their visions and 
creations - to be sincere and vulnerable.

4. He was a warrior. Musicians need the discipline and devotion of the warrior 
on a daily basis. In performance we also need to steel ourselves against the 
chaotic and negative forces that work to undermine our ability to accomplish our 
mission. Often these forces attempt to seize control from within us.

5. He was prudent in speech. How easy it is to mar the message of our uplifting 
music with a few careless words.

6. He was a person of good presence. According to one commentary, this probably 
means he was good looking or charismatic. But the term "good presence" is a 
fortunate one in that it can suggest that our presence in a situation might be a 
stabilizing factor tending towards righteousness. Ultimately, how we look has 
nothing to do with the true goodness of our presence.

7. The Lord was with him. This seems like the most important thing. It is the 
thing that empowers all the rest. I would think our most important work comes 
from an awareness of our relationship with Christ.