1 Samuel 16:16-23 NASB

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:18

1 Samuel 16:18. Then answered one of the servants, &c. It is likely this was some friend or acquaintance of David, who here gives him a very high character, which he did not disgrace, but fully verified, insomuch that Saul for a time highly esteemed him, finding him amiable in his spirit, and prudent in matters, and therefore useful to him in many other ways, as well as by his skill in music. We need not wonder that David was so suddenly advanced from a poor shepherd to so great a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:20

1 Samuel 16:20. Jesse took bread, a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them This present, though in our times it would seem contemptible, yet was very agreeable to the usage of those ages, and to the condition of Jesse, which was but mean in the world. And it was usual in those days not to come before a prince without a present, as a token of respect. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:21

1 Samuel 16:21. David came to Saul and stood before him Ministered unto him among the rest of his servants. This sufficiently shows that Saul had no knowledge of the anointing of David, otherwise it cannot be supposed that he would have had him brought to his court. And he loved him greatly So there was something good in Saul still; he had not lost all, though he had lost the kingdom. He became his armour-bearer He had that place conferred upon him, though we do not read that he ever... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:23

1 Samuel 16:23. The evil spirit departed Namely, for a season. And the reason of this success might be partly natural, and partly supernatural, respecting David; whom God designed by this means to bring into favour with the king, and so to smooth the way for his advancement. 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 16:16

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:18

servants . Not the same word as in verses: 1 Samuel 16:15-17 , but "young men "as in 1 Samuel 14:1 . Perhaps Saul's body-guard; possibly fellow-pupils of Samuel at Naioth. and . Note Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in these verses. matters = speech. read more

E.W. Bullinger