1 Samuel 16:14-17

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.

16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

1 Samuel 16:14-17 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 Judges 16:20
• 2. ver 23; S Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:10
• 3. 2 Samuel 7:15
• 4. ver 23; S 1 Samuel 10:5,6; 2 Chronicles 29:26-27; Psalms 49:4; 1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Samuel 19:9; 2 Kings 3:15

Footnotes

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