1 Samuel 16:13-15

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil^[a] spirit from the LORD tormented him.

15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.

1 Samuel 16:13-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 16

In this chapter Samuel is ordered to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, 1Sa 16:1-5 all whose sons were made to pass before him, excepting David, 1Sa 16:6-10 who being then with his father's sheep, was sent for and was anointed, 1Sa 16:11-13, after which the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and he became melancholy, and it was advised to seek out a musician for him, and David was mentioned to him as a proper person, 1Sa 16:14-18 upon which he was sent for, and acted as a musician to Saul, and also became his armourbearer, which was the first rise of him, 1Sa 16:19-23.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 2:35; S 2 Samuel 22:51
• 2. 1 Samuel 18:12; Numbers 27:18; Judges 11:29
• 3. S 1 Samuel 11:6">1Sa 1 Samuel 11:6; 1Sa 10:1,6,9-10; 1 Samuel 11:6
• 4. S Judges 16:20
• 5. ver 23; S Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:10
• 6. 2 Samuel 7:15

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "and a harmful" ; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23