1 Samuel 16:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-23

We have here Saul falling and David rising. I. Here is Saul made a terror to himself (1 Sam. 16:14): The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. He having forsaken God and his duty, God, in a way of righteous judgment, withdrew from him those assistances of the good Spirit with which he was directed, animated, and encouraged in his government and wars. He lost all his good qualities. This was the effect of his rejecting God, and an evidence of his being rejected by him. Now God took his mercy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul ,.... As a spirit of prophecy as at first, as a spirit of wisdom and prudence in civil government, and as a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum: and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him ; the reverse of the former, which by the permission of God, and as a punishment to him for his sins, came upon him; he seemed to be a demoniac, as Josephus represents F9 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 8. sect. 2. him, as if possessed with the devil;... 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

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

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

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

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

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