PRUDENTIAL PROFICIENCY BY CHRISTOLOGY - PART 1

MONDAY 16 JUNE 2025

I'm introducing a new topic, known as Prudential Proficiency by Christology. More below!

Reference: 1st Samuel 16:18 New King James Version (NKJV)

"Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him."

I read the chapter [1 Samuel 16] several times. From the second and third time, I specifically paid attention to how the dialogue between King Saul and his servants was built, after a distressing spirit started troubling Saul:

1st Samuel 16:14-18

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well." So Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me." Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him" (NKJV).

It was actually evident that there was a big problem, and the first sign that King Saul was dealing with a serious problem is that he held a discussion among his servants, that entailed a mention of a skillful player, when it comes to harp. 

One of the servants involved in the dialogue had an opinion and therefore, he envinced a personality that described or supported his opinion. He disclosed all of his information and said: Watch and see - this will prove my suggession right: "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him."

It was just an opinion from a servant; an informed suggestion in a decision-making process. Did King Saul care about the opinion? Yes, otherwise there wouldn't be an existential part of the Chapter that reads:

'Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul. So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer. Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight"' (1st Samuel 16:19-22 NIV).

It was a crucially influenced decision, and the rejected King was impressed by the young shepherd when he arrived (whoever it is). It was a "David" who did not have to prove anything. His skills would bring him to light. His performance was profoundly discussed and carefully analysed. One chance or opportunity given to David would not just guarantee a reliable result, but also, would make a huge difference.

David's prudential responsiveness and profitable proficiency were evaluated in the totality of active evidence, not just as a curated "harp playing" prowess that typified a suggested opinion. There must have been other servants who might have suggested differently, but objectively, the King looked at the suggestions collected, in favour of David. Stay tuned for part 2.

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 14:15; Proverbs 22:29; 1 Peter 4:10.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I honour you today for the recognition of a skillful harp player whom you brought to favoured prominence and greatness, on account of your grace and pre-eminence. To that effect, I acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from your munificence, as the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows, in Jesus' Name, Amen.