1 Samuel 16:14-17, 1 Samuel 16:23 ESV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:16

The medicinal effects of music on the mind and body, especially as appeasing anger, and soothing and pacifying a troubled spirit, are well known. It is deeply interesting to have the youthful David thus brought before us, as using music for its highest purpose, that of turning the soul to the harmony of peace and love. We may infer that some of his Psalms, such e. g. as Psalms 23:1-6, were already composed. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:14

1 Samuel 16:14. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul Which came upon him when he was first made king, and continued with him till this time, but which God now took away, depriving him of that prudence, courage, and alacrity, and other gifts wherewith he had qualified him for his public employment. An evil spirit from the Lord That is, by God’s permission, who delivered him up to be buffeted by Satan. Troubled him Stirred up in him unruly passions, such as envy, rage, fear, or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:15-16

1 Samuel 16:15-16. His servants said, &c. His courtiers could not but observe the change which had taken place in him, and the strange disturbance in his mind, and very probably ascribed it to the hand of God upon him. When the evil spirit from God is upon thee When a melancholy fit seizeth thee. He shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well And the success confirmed their opinion. It is true, music cannot, of itself, have a direct influence on an evil spirit, to cause it to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-23

16:1-19:24 THE RISE OF DAVIDDavid brought to the royal court (16:1-23)When told by God to go and anoint a king to replace Saul, Samuel feared to, lest Saul kill him. God therefore told Samuel to keep the matter secret (16:1-3). Reassured by this additional word from God, Samuel went to Bethlehem, where he met the leading men of the important families in that area (4-5).The outcome of Samuel’s visit was that he anointed David, youngest son of the family of Jesse. Anointing was a way of marking... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:14

But. This marks and introduces the later episode, placed here in order to bring out and connect the contrast of the Spirit's departing from Saul and coming on David. See notes on 17. and 1 Samuel 18:12 . evil : always. Hebrew. ra'a' ( App-44 .), in this connection. spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . troubled = terrified. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:15

God . Hebrew. Elohim ( App-4 ). Saul's servants not in communion with Jehovah, the Covenant God. App-4 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:16

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . cunning = skilful. harp = kinnor. An instrument of many strings. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14

THE REMARKABLE PROLEPSIS OF EVENTS TO COME"Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him, And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well." So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me a man who can play well, and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14

1 Samuel 16:14. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul— Or, as the word might have been rendered, had departed from Saul. But what spirit? Not the prophetic spirit which he received according to Samuel's prediction, which ceased instantly when his prophesying was ended: not the spirit to render him incapable of transgressing; for that he never had, and therefore could never lose it. No: God was no longer with him, to prosper and guide him; but left him, as the effect of his disobedience, to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 16:15

1 Samuel 16:15. Saul's servants said, &c.— The remainder of this chapter is undoubtedly an anticipation, but introduced by the sacred historian very properly and very naturally; for, having related at large how God had rejected Saul, and anointed David, he goes on (as it was a matter of the utmost moment in a religious history,) to inform us of the effects both of one and the other; though we are not to suppose them the instantaneous effects. The effects of Saul's rejection were, he tells... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:15-16

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-23

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:14

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:15

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:16

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 16:15

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