YHWH immo

Shortly after the anointing of David, the author of 1 Samuel switches the narrative to Saul. It is easy to understand why. David has received the spirit of the Lord as it has departed from Saul (1 Sam. 16.13-14). The text tells us that Saul is tormented by a bad spirit from God. One of his courtiers recommends music to soothe his condition. Saul asks for recommendations and the servant refers David, the son of Jesse. The servant’s description of David would make a wonderful resume (1 Samuel 16.18). His first hand knowledge of David demands that he has some kind of relationship to Jesse’s family. David is a skilled musician. He is a brave man, able to fight. He chooses his words wisely and is good looking. These are fine attributes but perhaps the last one is the most impressive: “YHWH immo.” The LORD is with him!

The servant does not use the Hebrew title “El” (God), but the personal name of Israel’s God, YHWH. This is the same God who created the heavens and the earth. Who was with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the God who took care of Joseph. The God who summoned Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt with the mighty help of plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. The God who made a covenant with Israel and kept it even though Israel sinned (Ex. 34.6). The God who defeated Dagon. Now the same God is with David.

Could there be a greater characteristic in one’s life than this? I can’t speak for you but perhaps there is no greater epitaph for a person than to say, “The Lord was with him.” When I die, I hope I have lived in a way that someone will say, “The Lord was with him and now he is with the Lord.”