1 Samuel 16:13-23

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

14 Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.

15 Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.

16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp: and it shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well.

17 Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.

18 Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, who is skillful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him.

19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.

20 Jesse took a donkey [laden] with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul.

21 David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.

22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.

23 It happened, when the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1 Samuel 16:13-23 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.