King David was a musician and he was quite literally a psalmist. From his heart and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote songs that were sung to God by the nation of Israel. In his life he had experienced the Holy Spirit coming upon him and guiding him to victory. Likewise, he had experienced times of the absence of the Holy Spirit in his life. If ever there was a biblical example of someone who had experienced the presence and experienced the absence of the Holy Spirit, it was King David.

In his song that is recorded in Psalm 51, his heart cries out to God with a desire for purity of spirit. His heart cried out that the Holy Spirit would not depart from him. How could this be? How could a man who had been anointed to be king of Israel at an early age by the prophet of God, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, experience the presence and absence of the Holy Spirit to such an extent that he would cry out for the Spirit to not depart?

While the question may seem complex, the answer is very basic and fundamental. King David was living under the Old Covenant that existed before God sent His Son to the earth. Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit came upon prophets, priests, and kings for a specific purpose. Some were even filled with the Holy Spirit; however, none of these visits were permanent.

It wasn't until Jesus placed His blood on the altar in Heaven on the day of His resurrection that a way was made for the Holy Spirit to live permanently inside of everyone who believed. Until that moment, the Holy Spirit only visited the prophets, priests, and kings for a purpose. But now, because of the precious blood of Jesus, all who believe are priests and kings in the kingdom of God (Revelation 1:6) and the Holy Spirit lives inside of each one permanently-for all eternity (John 14:16). While the Old Testament believers received a visitation, the New Testament believers receive a habitation. He visited them, but He lives in us forever!

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. (Hebrews 8:6-7).