Smitten | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Smitten | Previous Challenge Entry
By PamFord Davis
02/09/15
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“And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, ‘I will smite David even to the wall with it.’ And David avoided out of his presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul (1 Samuel 18:10-12 KJV).”

As I read, “the evil spirit from God came upon Saul” I enter the land of bewilderment by way of befuddled detour. Yet, I am not road-blocked because I follow the Roman Road.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 KJV).”

God had called David as a Bethlehem shepherd boy to be Israel’s future king. Sovereign and all knowing, the LORD allowed the rage of King Saul to usher in the reign of David, ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ (Acts 13:22)

I find it intriguing and significant that within their palmed hands each held an instrument. Saul wielded a javelin, as a premeditated weapon of destruction, while David melodiously strummed his harp to soothe a tormented soul.

“And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him (1 Samuel 16:23 KJV).”

Three little words speak volumes of information, ‘and was well.’

As a daughter, I wished all was well. Dad was not at all well; he was afflicted with bouts of depression and bad temper due to severe Bipolar Disorder. As a result, his five children suffered; we were emotionally smitten.

Dad was selflessly devoted to his family; any harm he inflicted was unintentional. I write this, not in retaliation but in empathy for others who cower in silence and shame. Chronic depression and Bipolar disorders are treatable. Hope is a healing balm.

I am compelled to share one of my life’s’ most humiliating experiences.

After a legal separation from my mother, Dad had recently rented an apartment nearby my husband, children and me. Learning that he needed a personal check cashed, I drove him to a bank where we had our personal account. Upon hearing the tellers’ refusal to honor his request, Dad went ballistic.

Enraged and argumentative he began shouting fiery attacks at the taken aback banker. I realized she was merely following standard bank procedure. Aghast, heart palpitations and a sinking feeling in my abdomen vied for supremacy. Empowered through weakness, I somehow maneuvered him outside the building and into my car.

How could he do such a thing to me?

In jest, people refer to their source of firsthand knowledge as ‘the school of hard knocks.’ I did not enroll, nor did I drop out. God, through everything I encounter (painful though they may be) is tenderly transforming me, with purpose and on purpose.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29 KJV).”

Both Saul and David dealt with drama, Saul his fears, David a menacing foe. How ironic that Saul feared David, logically the trepidation would be in the man targeted not the one throwing a javelin. Yet, the king was demented. It is folly to assume logic would come into play.

To appreciate David’s plight, a reader must delve into texts and testimony that he penned. Twice, in self-defense, he could have killed King Saul; twice he held his emotions in check. God, through the Prophet Samuel had anointed Saul as Israel’s first king. David would not strike the LORD’s anointed. Instead, he wholeheartedly waited on the LORD.

If you, in eagerness to learn the fate of a hero skip to the back of the book, read on. The author speaks…

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:16-17 KJV).”

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