English Standard Version
1 Samuel 16:23
23And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
1 Samuel 16:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
- New International Version (NIV)Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.
- New Living Translation (NLT)And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.
Context of 1 Samuel 16:23
21And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight." And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
Read all of 1 Samuel 161 Samuel 16:23 word by word
וְהָיָ֗ה בִּֽהְי֤וֹת רֽוּחַ־אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וְלָקַ֥ח דָּוִ֛ד אֶת־הַכִּנּ֖וֹר וְנִגֵּ֣ן בְּיָד֑וֹ וְרָוַ֤ח לְשָׁאוּל֙ וְט֣וֹב ל֔וֹ וְסָ֥רָה מֵעָלָ֖יו ר֥וּחַ הָרָעָֽה׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
- from Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- was upon Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
- that Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
- tookלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
- an harpכִּנּוֹרkinnôr · lyreH3658
- and playedנָגַןnâgan · to playH5059
- with his handיָדyâd · handH3027
- was refreshedרָוַחrâvach · be wideH7304
- and was wellטוֹבţôb · be pleasingH2895
- and the evilרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: harmfulH7451
- departedסוּרsûr ώûr · to turn aside: departH5493
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 16:23
- 1 Samuel 16:14Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him.
- 1 Samuel 18:10The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand.
- Matthew 12:43"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none.
- Luke 11:24"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 16:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The 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 , of God, and have , the evil spirit. The Targum says, The evil spirit from before the Lord; and the Arabic has it. The evil spirit by…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-23Verses 14-23 Saul is made a terror to himself. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. If God and his grace do not rule us, sin and Satan will have possession of us. The devil, by the Divine permission, troubled and terrified Saul, by the corrupt humours of his body, and passions of his mind. He grew fretful, peevish, and discontented, and at times a madman. It is a pity that music, which may be serviceable to the good temper of the mind, should ever be…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Saul would become well: David was not just a handsome young man with musical talent. He was the chosen king. David showed what a king should be: someone who brings relief. Later, David wrote many psalms that have provided comfort and relief over the years. the spirit of distress would depart from him: Even those who are disobedient and rejected can find relief and comfort through the Lord’s servant.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well--The ancients believed that music had a mysterious influence in healing mental disorders.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Samuel 16:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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