1 Samuel 16:14

14 spiritus autem Domini recessit a Saul et exagitabat eum spiritus nequam a Domino

1 Samuel 16:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 16:14

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul
As a spirit of prophecy as at first, as a spirit of wisdom and prudence in civil government, and as a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum:

and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him;
the reverse of the former, which by the permission of God, and as a punishment to him for his sins, came upon him; he seemed to be a demoniac, as Josephus represents ^F9 him, as if possessed with the devil; by whom he was almost suffocated and strangled, as well as was distracted in his counsels, and became weak and foolish; lost all courage and greatness of mind, was timorous and fearful, and alarmed by everything, and was full of envy, suspicion, rage, and despair.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F9 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 8. sect. 2.

1 Samuel 16:14 In-Context

12 misit ergo et adduxit eum erat autem rufus et pulcher aspectu decoraque facie et ait Dominus surge ungue eum ipse est enim

13 tulit igitur Samuhel cornu olei et unxit eum in medio fratrum eius et directus est spiritus Domini in David a die illa et in reliquum surgensque Samuhel abiit in Ramatha

14 spiritus autem Domini recessit a Saul et exagitabat eum spiritus nequam a Domino

15 dixeruntque servi Saul ad eum ecce spiritus Dei malus exagitat te

16 iubeat dominus noster et servi tui qui coram te sunt quaerant hominem scientem psallere cithara ut quando arripuerit te spiritus Dei malus psallat manu sua et levius feras