1 Samuel 16:15-17 NIV

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 16:15

And Saul's servants said unto him ,.... His courtiers, who observing him to act in a frantic manner, to be dull and melancholy, timorous, and irresolute, unsteady, divided, and distressed; or his physicians, who were called in to assist him, and remove his disorder from him: behold, now an evil spirit from God troubleth thee : the disorder was not from any natural cause, or any bodily disease, and therefore out of the reach of physicians to do any service, but was from an evil spirit... read more

John Gill

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

Let our Lord now command thy servants which are before thee ,.... Meaning either themselves, or some of a more inferior rank, who were in some post and office at court, waiters there, such as yeomen of the guards: to seek out a man who is a cunning player on the harp : a musical instrument much in use in those days: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee ; when in a melancholy mood, and Satan takes the advantage of it to distress and terrify, to spread... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:17

And Saul said unto his servants ,.... Approving of, and pleased with the advice they gave: provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me; for being a sovereign prince, he could command whom he would to attend to his person and service. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:15

The “evil” or “melancholy” spirit here spoken of was “the Spirit of God,” or “of Jehovah,” as being God’s messenger and minister, sent by Him to execute His righteous purpose upon Saul (see 1 Kings 22:19-22 note). read more

Albert Barnes

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 16:15-16

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:15

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:16-18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:15

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

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

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