1 Samuel 16:14

14 And so the Spirit of the Lord went away from Saul, and a wicked spirit of the Lord travailed Saul (and then a wicked spirit from the Lord tormented him).

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

1 Samuel 16:14 In-Context

12 Therefore Jesse sent, and brought him (And so Jesse sent for him, and brought him forth); soothly he was ruddy, and fair in sight, and of seemly face. And the Lord said, Rise thou, and anoint him; for it is he.

13 Therefore Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the Lord was directed into David from that day forth. And (then) Samuel rose up, and went into Ramah.

14 And so the Spirit of the Lord went away from Saul, and a wicked spirit of the Lord travailed Saul (and then a wicked spirit from the Lord tormented him).

15 And the servants of Saul said to him, Lo! an evil spirit of the Lord travaileth thee; (And Saul's servants said to him, Lo! an evil spirit from the Lord tormenteth thee;)

16 our lord the king command, and thy servants, that be before thee, shall seek a man, that can sing with an harp, and when the evil spirit of the Lord taketh thee, he harp with his hand, and thou bear it more easily. (let our lord the king command, and then thy servants, who be before thee, shall seek out a man who can play a harp, and so when the evil spirit from the Lord taketh hold of thee, he shall play his harp, and then thou shalt be able to bear it more easily.)