1 Samuel 16:15

And Sauls seruants said vnto him, Behold now, an euill spirit from God troubleth thee.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.
- Basic English Bible

And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles thee.
- Darby Bible

And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
- Webster's Bible

Saul's servants said to him, "See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
- World English Bible

and the servants of Saul say unto him, `Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness [from] God is terrifying thee;
- Youngs Literal Bible

And Saul's servants said unto him: 'Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifieth thee.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for 1 Samuel 16:15

16:13 Anointed him - David's brethren saw David's unction, yet did not understand, that he was anointed to the kingdom; but were only told by Samuel, that he was anointed to some great service, which hereafter they should know. Thus Jesse only, and David, understood the whole business, and his brethren were able to attest to that act of Samuel's anointing him, which, with other collateral evidences, was abundantly sufficient to prove David's right to the kingdom, if need should be. The spirit, &c, - That is, he was immediately endowed with extraordinary gifts of God's Spirit, as strength, and courage, and wisdom, and other excellent qualities which fitted him for, and put him upon noble attempts.

16:14 Departed - God took away that prudence, and courage, and alacrity, and other gifts wherewith be had qualified him for his public employment. From the Lord - That is, by God's permission, who delivered him up to be buffeted of Satan. Troubled - Stirred up in him unruly and tormenting passions; as envy, rage, fear, or despair. He grew fretful, and peevish, and discontented, timorous and suspicious, frequently starting and trembling.

16:16 Be well - And the success confirms their opinion. For although music cannot directly have an influence upon an evil spirit to drive him away; yet, because the devil, as it seems, had not possession of him, but only made use of the passions of his mind, and humours of his body to molest him: and because it is manifest, that music hath a mighty power to qualify and sweeten these, and to make a man sedate and chearful; it is not strange, if the devil had not that power over him when his mind was more composed, which he had when it was disordered; as the devil had less power over lunaticks in the decrease, than in the increase of the moon: #Matt 17:15|,18. And seeing music prepared the Lord's prophets for the entertainment of the good Spirit, as #2Kings 3:15|. Why might it not dispose Saul to the resistance of the evil spirit? And why might not the chearing of his heart, in some measure strengthen him against those temptations of the devil, which were fed by his melancholy humour? And by this means, David without any contrivance of him or his friends, is brought to court, soon after he was anointed to the kingdom. Those whom God designs for any service, his providence will concur with his grace, to prepare and qualify them for it.