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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrified him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh terrorized him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented <i>and</i> terrified him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the LORD began to torment him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the LORD began to torment him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD was terrifying him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now the spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Now, the LORD's Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD's spirit left Saul, and an evil spirit sent by the LORD tormented him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Spirit of YHWH turned aside from Saul, and a spirit of sadness from YHWH terrified him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Spirit of Jehovah turned aside from Saul, and a spirit of sadness from Jehovah terrified him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah terrified him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But the Spirit of the Lord withdrew from Saul, and a wicked spirit from the Lord disturbed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and he was tormented by an evil spirit from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from before the LORD troubled him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And The Spirit of God departed from Shaul, and an evil spirit from before LORD JEHOVAH was consuming him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now the spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrified him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4530" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm">David Serves Saul</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: wə·rū·aḥ (Conj-w:: N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">After the Spirit</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: sā·rāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">had departed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: mê·‘im (Prep-m) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ- (N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">a spirit</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">of distress</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1204.htm" title="1204: ū·ḇi·‘ă·ṯat·tū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To fall upon, startle, terrify. A primitive root; to fear.">began to torment him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/9-23.htm">Judges 9:23</a></span><br />God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">1 Kings 22:22</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-14.htm">1 Kings 16:14</a></span><br />As for the rest of the acts of Elah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-10.htm">1 Kings 18:10</a></span><br />As surely as the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear that they had not found you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-19.htm">1 Kings 22:19-23</a></span><br />Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. / And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. / Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-15.htm">2 Kings 3:15</a></span><br />But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-11.htm">2 Kings 6:11</a></span><br />For this reason the king of Aram became enraged and called his servants to demand of them, “Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-7.htm">2 Kings 19:7</a></span><br />Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/1-12.htm">Job 1:12</a></span><br />“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/2-6.htm">Job 2:6</a></span><br />“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Isaiah 19:14</a></span><br />The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></span><br />For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">Isaiah 63:10</a></span><br />But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/14-9.htm">Ezekiel 14:9</a></span><br />But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Matthew 12:43-45</a></span><br />When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. / Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. / Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.</p><p class="hdg">the Spirit</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/11-6.htm">1 Samuel 11:6</a></b></br> And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-12.htm">1 Samuel 18:12</a></b></br> And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/28-15.htm">1 Samuel 28:15</a></b></br> And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm">1 Samuel 18:10</a></b></br> And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and <i>there was</i> a javelin in Saul's hand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-9.htm">1 Samuel 19:9,10</a></b></br> And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with <i>his</i> hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-23.htm">Judges 9:23</a></b></br> Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:</p><p class="hdg">troubled.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-18.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-2.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-12.htm">Terrorized</a> <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-29.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/joshua/24-5.htm">Troubling</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-11.htm">Terrified</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-12.htm">Terrorized</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-2.htm">Tormented</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-11.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Troubling</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">Samuel sent by God, under pretense of a sacrifice, comes to Bethlehem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">His human judgment is reproved</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">He anoints David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul</b><br>This phrase indicates a significant turning point in Saul's life and reign as king. The Spirit of the LORD had previously empowered Saul for leadership and victory (<a href="/1_samuel/10-10.htm">1 Samuel 10:10</a>). The departure signifies God's rejection of Saul as king due to his disobedience (<a href="/1_samuel/15-26.htm">1 Samuel 15:26</a>). This event marks the transition of divine favor from Saul to David, who is anointed in the preceding verses (<a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13</a>). Theologically, it underscores the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of rebellion.<p><b>and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him</b><br>The "spirit of distress" is understood as a form of divine judgment, reflecting the ancient belief that God is sovereign over all spirits. This spirit caused Saul great mental anguish and instability, which is evident in his erratic behavior throughout the rest of his life (<a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm">1 Samuel 18:10-11</a>). Theologically, this can be seen as a form of divine retribution, illustrating the principle that God allows consequences for disobedience. This torment also sets the stage for David's introduction to Saul's court, as David's music soothes Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">1 Samuel 16:23</a>), foreshadowing David's future role as king and his typological connection to Christ, the ultimate Shepherd and King who brings peace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by initial success but later marred by disobedience to God, leading to his rejection as king.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_spirit_of_the_lord.htm">The Spirit of the LORD</a></b><br>Refers to the divine presence and empowerment given by God. In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come upon individuals for specific purposes and could also depart from them.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/evil_spirit_from_the_lord.htm">Evil Spirit from the LORD</a></b><br>A troubling spirit allowed by God to afflict Saul. This spirit's presence signifies God's judgment and the consequences of Saul's disobedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The prophet who anointed Saul and later David. Samuel served as a judge and spiritual leader in Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, David's anointing as the future king occurs in the same chapter, marking the transition of God's favor from Saul to David.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Saul's loss of the Spirit underscores the necessity of obedience to God. Disobedience can lead to spiritual consequences and a loss of divine favor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The allowance of an evil spirit to torment Saul demonstrates God's control over all circumstances, even those that seem negative. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>In the Old Testament, the Spirit's presence was conditional and temporary. In contrast, New Testament believers have the promise of the Holy Spirit's permanent indwelling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>While Saul's account is tragic, it serves as a warning and an invitation to seek repentance and restoration with God before it's too late.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The presence of an evil spirit highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. Believers must be vigilant and rely on God's strength to overcome spiritual challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_exorcism.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian exorcism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_saul_prophesy_in_1_samuel_19_23.htm">Why does Saul suddenly prophesy (1 Samuel 19:23) despite being portrayed as abandoned by God in earlier chapters? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_send_an_'evil_spirit'.htm">In 1 Samuel 16:14, why would God send an “evil spirit” to torment Saul, contradicting the idea of a benevolent deity? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_the_holy_spirit_leave_a_believer.htm">Can the Holy Spirit leave a believer?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14, 15.</span> - 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 was first brought into connection with him. From the description given of David in ver. 1 Samuel 16:18 it is evident that there has been a considerable interval of time between this and the previous section. David is no longer a child, but a "mighty valiant man." The connection is ethical, and lies in the contrasted moral state of the two men, as shown in the two parallel statements: "the Spirit of Jehovah came upon David;" "the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul." There was a gradual decline and debasement of his character; and as David grew from a child into a hero in war and a scholar in peace, so Saul, from being a hero, degenerated into a moody and resentful tyrant. <span class="cmt_word">An evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him.</span> Really, as in the margin, <span class="accented">terrified him</span>; that is, Saul became subject to fits of intense mental agony, under which his reason gave way, and temporary insanity, accompanied by outbreaks of violence, came on. It is very difficult for us with our richer language to give the exact force of the Hebrew; for the word rendered <span class="accented">spirit</span> is literally <span class="accented">wind, air, breath.</span> A student of Hebrew can trace the word <span class="accented">ruach</span> through all its modifications, from its physical signification as the material wind, to its metaphysical meaning as an influence from God; and then still onward up to the beings who minister before God, and of whom the Psalmist says, "He maketh his angels to be winds" (<a href="/psalms/104-4.htm">Psalm 104:4</a>); till finally we reach up unto the third person of the blessed Trinity: and then, as with this full knowledge of the Divine nature we read backward, we find the presence of the Holy Ghost indicated, where to the Israelite probably there was mention only of a material agency. Jost, in his 'History of the Jews since the time of the Maccabees,' vol. 1. p. 12, says that Saul suffered under that form of madness called <span class="accented">hypochondria</span>, and that the Jews gave this the name of <span class="accented">bad air</span>, the words translated here "evil spirit;" for they held, he says, that "the devil inhabited the air." So St. Paul speaks of the "wicked spiritual beings that are in high places," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> in the loftier regions of the atmosphere (<a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>). A study of Saul's character makes it probable that, as is often the case with men of brilliant genius, there was always a touch of insanity in his mental constitution. His joining in the exercises of the prophets (<a href="/1_samuel/10-10.htm">1 Samuel 10:10-12</a>) was an outburst of eccentric enthusiasm; and the excitement of his behaviour in the occurrences narrated in ch. 14. indicate a mind that might easily be thrown off its balance. And now he seems to have brooded over his deposition by Samuel, and instead of repenting to have regarded himself as an ill-used man, and given himself up to despondency, until he became a prey to melancholy, and his mind was overclouded. His servants rightly regarded this as a Divine punishment, but their words are remarkable. <span class="cmt_word">Behold, an evil spirit from God</span> terrifieth <span class="cmt_word">thee</span>. And so again, in ver. 16, <span class="cmt_word">the evil spirit from God</span>, as if they were unwilling to ascribe to Jehovah, their covenant Deity, the sending of this evil "influence," while rightly they saw that evil as well as good must come from the Almighty, inasmuch as all things are in his hand, and whatever is must be by his permission. The writer of the book has no such scruples; he calls it "an evil spirit from Jehovah," because it was Jehovah, their own theocratic King, who had dethroned Saul, and withdrawn from him his blessing and protection. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">After the Spirit</span><br /><span class="heb">וְר֧וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had departed</span><br /><span class="heb">סָ֖רָה</span> <span class="translit">(sā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעִ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘im)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֑וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a spirit</span><br /><span class="heb">רֽוּחַ־</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of distress</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֵ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">began to torment him.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבִֽעֲתַ֥תּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇi·‘ă·ṯat·tū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1204.htm">Strong's 1204: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall upon, startle, terrify</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>