CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 16:17 And Saul commanded his servants, "Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/16-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/09_1Sa_16_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 16:17 - David Serves Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Saul commanded his servants, Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/16-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/16-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm" title="1 Samuel 16:16">◄</a> 1 Samuel 16:17 <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm" title="1 Samuel 16:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />So Saul said to his attendants, &#8220Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring <i>him</i> to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring <i>him</i> to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, “Now select for me a man who can play well, and bring <i>him</i> to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, &#8220Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well, and bring <i>him</i> to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring <i>him</i> to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Saul told his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul commanded his servants, &#8220Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"All right," Saul answered. "Find me someone who is good at playing the harp and bring him here." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Saul told his officials, "Please find me a man who can play well and bring him to me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Saul ordered them, "Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul told his servants, "Find a man for me who can play well and bring him to me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Saul commanded his servants, ?Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” <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 Saul says to his servants, “Now provide for me a man playing well—then you have brought [him] to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Saul saith unto his servants, 'Provide, I pray you, for me a man playing well -- then ye have brought him in unto me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Saul will say to his servants, See, now, a man to me being good to play, and bring to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said to his servants: Provide me then some man that can play well, and bring him to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Saul said to his servants, “Then provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Saul then told his servants, “Find me a good harpist and bring him to me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Shaul said to his Servants: “Look for a man for me who plays well and bring him to me”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Saul said unto his servants: 'Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Saul said to his servants, Look now out for me a skillful player, and bring him to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/16-17.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=4557" 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">16</span>Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.” <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><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.">And Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">his</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rə·’ū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">“Find</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">someone</a> <a href="/hebrew/5059.htm" title="5059: lə·nag·gên (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. Beat a tune with the fingers; expec. To play on a stringed instrument; hence, to make music.">who plays</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: mê·ṭîḇ (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">well,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wa·hă·ḇî·’ō·w·ṯem (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and bring him</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāy (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”…<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="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">1 Samuel 16:18</a></span><br />One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55-58</a></span><br />As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-10.htm">1 Samuel 18:10-12</a></span><br />The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, / and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. / So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-9.htm">1 Samuel 19:9-10</a></span><br />But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp, / Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.<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="/1_chronicles/25-1.htm">1 Chronicles 25:1-7</a></span><br />Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-12.htm">2 Chronicles 5:12-13</a></span><br />all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-2.htm">Psalm 33:2-3</a></span><br />Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings. / Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-1.htm">Psalm 92:1-3</a></span><br />A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, / to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning and Your faithfulness at night / with the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/150-3.htm">Psalm 150:3-5</a></span><br />Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/6-5.htm">Amos 6:5</a></span><br />You improvise songs on the harp like David and invent your own musical instruments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-23.htm">Matthew 9:23-24</a></span><br />When Jesus entered the house of the synagogue leader, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd. / “Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-38.htm">Mark 5:38-40</a></span><br />When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. / He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him. After He had put them all outside, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-25.htm">Luke 15:25</a></span><br />Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Attendants</a> <a href="/exodus/38-23.htm">Expert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm">Play</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm">Player</a> <a href="/judges/16-27.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-32.htm">Plays</a> <a href="/judges/21-16.htm">Provide</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-33.htm">Someone</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/18-22.htm">Attendants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm">Expert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">Play</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-15.htm">Player</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Plays</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-10.htm">Provide</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-19.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-30.htm">Someone</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>And Saul commanded his servants</b><br>Saul, the first king of Israel, is depicted here exercising his royal authority. This command reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society, where the king's word was law. Saul's reliance on his servants indicates the centralized power and the role of servants in the royal court. This moment occurs after the Spirit of the Lord has departed from Saul, highlighting his increasing dependence on human solutions to his spiritual and emotional turmoil.<p><b>Find me someone who plays well</b><br>Music played a significant role in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often used for worship, celebration, and soothing purposes. Saul's request for a skilled musician suggests an understanding of music's therapeutic effects, which were recognized even in ancient times. This request foreshadows the introduction of David, who is not only a skilled musician but also the future king of Israel. The emphasis on finding someone who "plays well" underscores the importance of excellence and skill in service to the king, a principle that can be applied to serving God with our best abilities.<p><b>and bring him to me</b><br>This phrase indicates Saul's desire for immediate relief from his distress, which was caused by an evil spirit from the Lord. The act of bringing someone to the king's presence signifies the importance of personal service and the intimate role that David would soon play in Saul's life. This moment sets the stage for David's entrance into the royal court, where he would gain experience and insight into kingship. It also prefigures the way Jesus Christ would be brought into the world to provide spiritual relief and salvation, as David's presence would bring temporary relief to Saul.<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. At this point in the account, Saul is troubled by an evil spirit and seeks relief through music.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/servants_of_saul.htm">Servants of Saul</a></b><br>These are the attendants or officials serving King Saul. They are tasked with finding a skilled musician to soothe Saul's troubled spirit.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David (implied)</a></b><br>Although not mentioned directly in this verse, David is the young shepherd who is eventually brought to Saul. He is anointed by Samuel earlier in the chapter and becomes a key figure in Saul's court.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeah.htm">Gibeah</a></b><br>Saul's residence and the location where these events take place. It serves as the backdrop for Saul's reign and his interactions with David.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/music_as_a_healing_tool.htm">Music as a Healing Tool</a></b><br>The event highlights the use of music to provide relief from spiritual and emotional distress, a practice that has historical and biblical significance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_music.htm">The Power of Music</a></b><br>Music can be a divine tool for healing and comfort. Just as David's harp playing brought relief to Saul, music can be used today to soothe troubled hearts and minds.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_preparation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Preparation</a></b><br>God prepares and positions His servants for His purposes. David's musical talent and his anointing by Samuel were part of God's plan to bring him into Saul's court.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Saul's need for relief from an evil spirit underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and seeking God's presence in times of distress.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/service_and_humility.htm">Service and Humility</a></b><br>David's willingness to serve Saul, despite being anointed as the future king, teaches us about humility and serving others even when we are called to greater things.<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/who_killed_saul__himself_or_amalekite.htm">Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_tell_samuel_to_deceive_saul.htm">In 1 Samuel 16:1-3, why does God instruct Samuel to conceal his true purpose from Saul, seemingly endorsing deception?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_kings_1_11-27_contradict_divine_king_appointments.htm">Does Nathan and Bathsheba's intervention (1 Kings 1:11-27) contradict earlier portrayals of divine appointment of kings in Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_crucial_is_attraction_in_a_spouse.htm">How important is physical attraction in choosing a spouse?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/16-17.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">And Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֖וּל</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">commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his servants,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Find</span><br /><span class="heb">רְאוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(rə·’ū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">someone</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֚ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who plays</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַגֵּ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·nag·gên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5059.htm">Strong's 5059: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch or play a stringed instrument</span><br /><br /><span class="word">well,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵיטִ֣יב</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ṭîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and bring</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲבִיאוֹתֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·ḇî·’ō·w·ṯem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him to me.”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/16-17.htm">1 Samuel 16:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/16-17.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 16:17 Saul said to his servants Provide me (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:18" /></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>