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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 />Saul&#8217s attendants said to him, &#8220See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Saul&#8217s servants then said to him, &#8220Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so Saul’s servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so Saul&#8217s servants said to him, &#8220You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"It's an evil spirit from God that's frightening you," Saul's officials told him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Saul's officials told him, "An evil spirit from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />His servants said to him, "We know that an evil spirit sent by God is tormenting you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul's servants told him, "Look, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul?s servants said to him, ?Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul's servants said to him, "Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Saul's servants said to him, "See now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.<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's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. <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 servants of Saul say to him, “Now behold, a spirit of sadness [from] God is terrifying you;<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 servants of Saul say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness from God is terrifying thee;<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's servants will say to him, Behold now, an evil spirit of God terrifying thee.<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 the servants of Saul said to him: Behold now an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the servants of Saul said to him: “Behold, an evil spirit from God disturbs you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So the servants of Saul said to him: “Look! An evil spirit from God is tormenting you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.<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's servants said to him, Behold, your servants are before you;<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 Servants of Shaul said to him: “Behold, your Servants are before you<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's servants said unto him: 'Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifieth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, and evil spirit from the Lord torments thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/16-15.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=4538" 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>After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. <span class="reftext">15</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.">Saul’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·ḏê- (N-mpc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ- (N-csc) -- 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/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">from God</a> <a href="/hebrew/1204.htm" title="1204: mə·ḇa·‘it·te·ḵā (V-Piel-Prtcpl-fsc:: 2ms) -- To fall upon, startle, terrify. A primitive root; to fear.">is tormenting you.</a> </span><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.”…<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/18-10.htm">1 Samuel 18:10</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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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_samuel/19-9.htm">1 Samuel 19:9</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,<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="/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="/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="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">2 Corinthians 12:7</a></span><br />or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-33.htm">Luke 4:33-35</a></span><br />In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He cried out in a loud voice, / “Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” / But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-2.htm">Mark 5:2-13</a></span><br />As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs. / This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. / Though he was often bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and shattered the shackles. Now there was no one with the strength to subdue him. ...<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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a></span><br />One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a></span><br />For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-7.htm">James 4:7</a></span><br />Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/8-15.htm">Attendants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-51.htm">Saul's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-24.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-21.htm">Terrifying</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-23.htm">Troubles</a> <a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Troubleth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">Troubling</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/16-17.htm">Attendants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-23.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-17.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Saul's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/job/15-21.htm">Terrifying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Troubles</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-15.htm">Troubleth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-5.htm">Troubling</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>Saul’s servants said to him</b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, servants often played significant roles in the royal court, providing counsel and assistance to the king. The mention of Saul's servants indicates that he was surrounded by individuals who were observant of his condition and concerned for his well-being. This reflects the hierarchical structure of the monarchy, where the king's attendants were expected to be attentive and responsive to his needs. The servants' awareness and initiative suggest a level of loyalty and responsibility towards Saul, despite his declining mental state.<p><b>Surely a spirit of distress from God</b><br>The phrase "a spirit of distress from God" suggests a divine origin for Saul's affliction. In the Old Testament, God is often seen as sovereign over all spiritual forces, both good and evil. This spirit of distress can be understood as a form of divine judgment or discipline, reflecting Saul's disobedience and rejection by God as king (<a href="/1_samuel/15-26.htm">1 Samuel 15:26-28</a>). Theologically, this highlights the belief in God's active role in the lives of individuals, using various means to accomplish His purposes. The concept of a distressing spirit also connects to the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare and the influence of spiritual beings on human affairs.<p><b>is tormenting you</b><br>The torment experienced by Saul is indicative of severe mental and emotional anguish. This affliction could be seen as a manifestation of Saul's inner turmoil and separation from God's favor. The Hebrew word used here can imply a range of distress, from anxiety to severe psychological disturbance. This torment serves as a narrative device to illustrate the consequences of Saul's disobedience and the loss of divine guidance. It also sets the stage for David's introduction as a soothing presence through his music, foreshadowing his future role as king and his typological connection to Christ, who brings peace and healing.<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 characterized by disobedience to God, leading to his spiritual and mental distress.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/servants_of_saul.htm">Servants of Saul</a></b><br>These individuals served in Saul's court and were witnesses to his distress. They played a role in suggesting a remedy for Saul's condition.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/spirit_of_distress.htm">Spirit of Distress</a></b><br>This refers to the troubling spirit that tormented Saul, which is described as being from God. It signifies a divine judgment or consequence of Saul's disobedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign deity of Israel, who allowed the spirit of distress to come upon Saul as a result of his disobedience and rejection of God's commands.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Samuel is a key figure in the surrounding account. He anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_sovereignty.htm">Understanding Divine Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is sovereign and can use even distressing circumstances to fulfill His purposes. This calls for trust in God's plan, even when it is not immediately clear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul's distress serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. It is crucial to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands to avoid spiritual and emotional turmoil.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_godly_counsel.htm">Seeking Godly Counsel</a></b><br>Saul's servants recognized his distress and sought a solution. In times of trouble, seek wise and godly counsel to find peace and direction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare_awareness.htm">Spiritual Warfare Awareness</a></b><br>Be aware of the spiritual battles that can affect our lives. Equip yourself with prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit to combat spiritual distress.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_in_distress.htm">God's Provision in Distress</a></b><br>Even in Saul's distress, God provided David, who would play music to soothe him. Trust that God provides relief and support in times of trouble.<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/is_king_saul_considered_saved.htm">Is King Saul considered saved?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_15_11_fit_god's_omniscience.htm">How does 1 Samuel 15:11, where God regrets making Saul king, align with the belief in God's omniscience?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god's_spirit_prompt_saul's_prophecy.htm">Why does the 'Spirit of God' in 1 Samuel 10:10 produce such immediate prophetic activity in Saul, yet seemingly not in others?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_you_call_upon_the_lord's_name.htm">What does 'Touch Not My Anointed' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">An evil spirit from God.</span>--The form in which the evil spirit manifested itself in Saul was apparently an incurable melancholy, which at times blazed forth in fits of uncontrollable jealous anger. When Saul's attendants, his officers, and those about his person, perceived the mental malady under which their king was evidently suffering, they counselled that he should try whether the evil influence which troubled him could not be charmed away by music.<p>There is no doubt but that King Saul's nervous, excitable temperament was peculiarly subject to such influences. We have some striking instances of this power exercised by sacred music over the king in the incidents related in <a href="/1_samuel/10-10.htm" title="And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came on him, and he prophesied among them.">1Samuel 10:10</a>; <a href="/context/1_samuel/19-23.htm" title="And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was on him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.">1Samuel 19:23-24</a>, where the songs and chaunts of the pupils of the prophetic schools had so powerful an influence over Saul. The solemn declaration of God through his prophet Samuel, that the kingdom was taken away from him and his house, weighed upon his naturally nervous and excitable mind. He became gloomy, and suspicious of his dearest friends, and, as we know, at times sought to take their lives; at times would command terrible massacres, such as that of the priests at Nob (<a href="/context/1_samuel/22-17.htm" title="And the king said to the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall on the priests of the LORD.">1Samuel 22:17-19</a>). As the sad life advanced, we see the nobler traits in his character growing fainter, and the evil becoming more and more obvious. It was a species of insanity, fatal alike to the poor victim of the malady and to the prosperity of the kingdom over which he ruled. History gives us not a few similar instances of monarchs given up to the "evil spirit from God," and who, in consequence, became a prey to insanity in one form or other.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/16-15.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">Saul's</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">servants</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדֵֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·ḏê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<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">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<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">to him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<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 /><br /><span class="word">“Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּה־</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</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 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 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 God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is tormenting you.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַעִתֶּֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇa·‘it·te·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular construct | second 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/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/16-15.htm">1 Samuel 16:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 16:15 Saul's servants said to him See now (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/16-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:16" /></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>