The Bible In Paintings: KING SAUL'S HARPIST, DAVID

[Hebrews 11:6]

The Bible In Paintings 2
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR APPRECIATING AND APPLYING GOD'S MESSAGE

1st SAMUEL
CHAPTER 16

Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better.”

So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

New International Version ©1984, Abrdgd, EMPHASES Added
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1
REMBRANDT
"David Playing the Harp Before Saul"

2
WILLIAM BRASSEY HOLE
"David Playing on the Harp Before Saul"

3
AERT DE GELDER
"David Playing the Harp to Saul"

4

5
ADRIAEN COLLAERT
"David Playing the Harp before Saul"

6
GEORGE OWEN BONAWIT
"David Plays the Harp for Saul"

7
EUGENE DELACROIX
"David Playing the Harp for Saul"

8
GOTTLIEB SCHICK
"David Spielt vor Saul"

9
FRANS FLORIS I
"David Playing the Harp before Saul"

10
HARTWELL JAMES
"David Playing Harp for King Saul"

11
NIKOLAI MIKHAILOVICH PLYUSNIN
"David Playing the Harp to Saul"

12
ANTOINE-JEAN GROS
"David Charming Saul's Melancholy"

13
COCHIN VAN LOO
"David Plays Harp for King Saul"

14
ERASMUS QUELLINUS II
"Saul Listening to David Playing the Harp"

15

16
LUCAS VAN LEYDEN
"David Playing the Harp before Saul"

17
JULIUS KRONBERG
"Saul and David"

18
FRANZ JOSEPH DOBYASCHOFSKY

19
STEFANO BIANCHETTI
"David Playing the Harp for King Saul"

20
JAMES TISSOT
"David Plays Harp before Saul"

21
ERNST JOSEPHSON
"David and Saul"

22
RICHARD McBEE
"David & Saul"

23
RUTH COLLET
"David Plays the Harp to Saul"

24

25
IVAN IVANOVICH TVOROZHNIKOV
"David Playing the Harp before Saul"

26
Source

27
Source

28
BERNARDO CAVALLINO
"David Playing Harp to Saul"

29
Franco-Flemish School
"David and Saul"

30
Source

→ a n d... f i n a l l y ←

31
"David Plays the Harp for Saul"

[Hebrews 11:6]

R E S O U R C E S
Read 1st SAMUEL 16 in full
Hear MAX McLEAN reading it
Hear a DRAMATIZATION of it
Read J-F-B's COMMENTARY
BIBLE TIMELINE

Click for 101 prior episodes in THIS series:
The Bible In Paintings 2
Click for 434 links in the FIRST series:
The Bible In Paintings 1


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[Hebrews 11:6]

1st SAMUEL
ISRAEL DEMANDS A KING, GETS SAUL
SAUL REJECTS JONATHAN, GOD REJECTS SAUL
DAVID THE SHEPHERD
SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
SAUL HIRES A HARPIST
G O L I A T H
DAVID AND GOLIATH
DAVID OR GOLIATH
DAVID'S BIG, FAT HEAD

[scottiemom]

These works of art present David's gift of music and it's healing properties .

I have read that the "evil spirit" that came upon Saul came as migraine headaches. I understand the overwhelming pain and nausea and the horror and dread of this most terrible condition. Please believe me when I say that I have wished for death while in the throws of this horrific experience. They are devastating. I am so pleased that after suffering for over 40 years that they have finally released me and I can live my life free from fear of getting them.

Thank you for reminding me how much God loves me and He cares for me.

[Red Badger]

David was just stringing him along....................

[Hebrews 11:6]

My wife and daughter suffer from occasional migraines, so I've seen--if not experienced--how painful and debilitating they can be. How wonderful that they have ceased for you!

how much God loves me and He cares for me

Amen and Amen!

[left that other site]

Good Morning, Dan.

In all my years as a Music therapist, I have never had a SPEAR thrown at me. Other things, but never a spear.

[Hebrews 11:6]

I hate to harp on it, but how did you get out of the punitentiary?

[Hebrews 11:6]

Well, Mary-Lou, next Wednesday you can see what that looks like. Stay tuned....

[etabeta]

Interesting to me to see all the different settings in which artists have placed this story. Many remarkable illustrations and paintings, such as Hole, Plyusnin, Kronberg, Josephson and of course the stained glass windows.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Many remarkable illustrations and paintings

That's my reaction, also, Alba.

[BenLurkin]

Very nice. Thank you for posting.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Glad you approve, Ben.

[spankalib]

I really like the composition of #17, Kronberg, and it's beautifully presented as well, with its vibrant light.

Notice the way David's hands point to Saul's brooding, dark, and evil face. The use of light from Saul's own right foot, thigh, and shoulder draw the eye to that same face.

Where David's farthest pointing/strumming left hand is highlighted by the light at Saul's left knee...almost an upside-down exclamation point!

The coloring is beautiful as is the stark difference btwn David and Saul's face(s). (Saul also has the spear poised)!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Kronberg's is my favorite, for the reasons you mention.

Perhaps Saul should hesitate before chucking his spear at someone who wears a leopard-skin and beheads giants....

[spankalib]

:)

Also, forgot to mention that Kronberg painted a portrayal of Jesus' life in the dome of Adolf Fredrick church in Stockholm. His was a very beautiful style.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Sounds interesting. Will look for photos....

[Hebrews 11:6]

A shame we can't spin it!

[spankalib]

Look at the light on the crosses. Isn’t that a subtle, genius way of highlighting them? Just beautiful!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Indeed. Well noticed!

Thanks, John, for highlighting Kronberg; I'll certainly be alert for him henceforth.

[SisterK]

#17 is also my favorite of this collection
it is a powerful piece on many levels