What is a Minstrel?
"But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him."- 2 Kings 3:15
Minstrels are highly skilled in the playing of instruments. What sets them apart from just being a musician is that they are specifically anointed to hear and play sounds directly from heaven. Minstrels invoke the presence of the Most High God through the melodies, harmonies and rhythms that they play. Being a minstrel is more than just being talented or gifted because gifts come without repentance (Romans 11:29). Being a minstrel requires "a surrendered heart and spirit". Minstrels ears are tuned to the spiritual and heavenly realm and convey what Lord desires through the music. Minstrels also rely on anointing through their musical skill – for deliverance and ministry purposes through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Characteristics of a Minstrel and Psalmist
Probably the most notable minstrel mentioned in scriptures was King David. Some time after David was anointed to be King, he was summoned by King Saul to play the harp for him and soothe his vexed spirit.
1 Samuel 16:14-23
14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and troubled him. 15 Saul’s servants said to him, Behold, an evil spirit from God torments you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well… 23 And when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, David took a lyre and played it; so Saul was refreshed and became well, and the evil spirit left him.
The servant in this scripture had actually seen David play the harp before. David had a reputation as a Minstrel in the land. How else would this servant have known about him? This type of anointing doesn’t just “happen”. A minstrel’s relationship with the Heavenly Father must be developed and nurtured. Not only was David a minstrel, skilled with the harp, he was a psalmist as well. They both have the same power to usher you into the presence of God.
(Proverbs 18:16 - A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men)