1 Samuel 16:14-23 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:23

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul ,.... See 1 Samuel 16:14 though the word evil is not in the text here; wherefore Abarbinel thinks that this here was the Spirit of God, which stirred up in him thoughts of divine things, put him in mind of what God had said, that he had rejected him from being king, and had rent the kingdom from him; and this filled him with grief and trouble, and he became melancholy: that David took an harp, and played with his hands ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14

The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul - He was thrown into such a state of mind by the judgments of God, as to be deprived of any regal qualities which he before possessed. God seems to have taken what gifts he had, and given them to David; and then the evil spirit came upon Saul; for what God fills not, the devil will. An evil spirit from the Lord - The evil spirit was either immediately sent from the Lord, or permitted to come. Whether this was a diabolic... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:18

I have seen a son of Jesse - Dr. Warburton supposes the story is anticipated from 1 Samuel 16:14-23 , and that the true chronology of this part of David's life is the following: - David is anointed by Samuel; Carries provisions to his brethren in the army; Fights with and kills Goliath; Is received into the king's court, Contracts a friendship with Jonathan; Incurs Saul's jealousy; Retires to his father's house; Is after some time sent for by Saul to sooth his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:20

Took an ass laden with bread - He must send a present to Saul to introduce his son, and this was probably the best he had. Dr. Warburton pleads still farther on the propriety of his rectification of the chronology in this place. David had at this time vanquished the Philistine, was become a favourite with the people, had excited Saul's jealousy, and retired to shun its effects. In the interim Saul was seized with the disorder in question, and is recommended by his servants to try... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:23

The evil spirit from God - The word evil is not in the common Hebrew text, but it is in the Vulgate, Septuagint, Targum, Syriac, and Arabic, and in eight of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., which present the text thus: רעה אלהים רוח ruach Elohim raah , spiritus Domini malus , the evil spirit of God. The Septuagint leave out Θεου , of God, and have πνευμα πονηρον , the evil spirit. The Targum says, The evil spirit from before the Lord; and the Arabic has it. The evil spirit... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-15

From this time forward David is the central figure of the history. Saul has been rejected, and though, as being the actual king, he must still play his part, more especially as his decline goes on side by side with David s growth in every kingly quality, yet the record of it is no longer given on Saul's account. Interesting, then, as may be the information concerning the mental malady with which Saul was visited, yet the object of this section is to acquaint us with the manner in which David... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Disquietude caused by sin. The facts are— 1 . Saul, being left to himself, is troubled by an evil spirit from the Lord. 2 . His servants, in their concern for his peace, suggest music as an alleviation, and obtain permission to provide it. 3 . David, being famed for music, is sent for, and finds favour with Saul. 4 . The music of David brings relief to Saul's troubled spirit. The narrative relates the effect of God's judicial abandonment of Saul to the impenitent spirit he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:16-18

A cunning player on an harp. Literally, one skilful in striking the chords on the harp. In Saul's case music would have a soothing influence, and turn the current of his thoughts. His officers suggest, therefore, that search should be made for an expert musician, and Saul consents; whereupon one of the servants recommended the son of Jesse. The word used here is not the same as that found in 1 Samuel 16:15 , 1 Samuel 16:16 , 1 Samuel 16:17 . There we have Saul's officers ; here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:19-20

Saul sent messengers to fetch David, the description of him as a brave soldier being even more to the king's liking (see 1 Samuel 14:52 ) than his skill in music. As a great man might not be approached without a present ( 1 Samuel 9:7 ; 1 Samuel 10:4 ), Jesse sends one consisting of produce from his farm. It consisted of an ass of bread —a strange expression; but there is little doubt that a word has been omitted, and that we should read, with the Syriac, "And Jesse took an ass, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:21-23

David came to Saul, and stood before him. The latter phrase means, "became one of his regular attendants." This, and his being appointed one of Saul's armour bearers, happened only after the lapse of some time. The armour bearer, like the esquire in the middle ages, had to carry his lord's lance, and sword, and shield, and was always a tried soldier, and one whom the king trusted. It was apparently after the combat with Goliath that Saul sent to Jesse, and asked that David might be always... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:19-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:21-23

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