1 Samuel 16:23 And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

Bible > 1 Samuel > Chapter 16 > Verse 23

◄ 1 Samuel 16:23 ►

New International Version
Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

New Living Translation
And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

English Standard Version
And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

Berean Standard Bible
And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

New King James Version
And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

New American Standard Bible
So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would feel relieved and become well, and the evil spirit would leave him.

NASB 1995
So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

NASB 1977
So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus it happened that whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Amplified Bible
So it came about that whenever the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, David took a harp and played it with his hand; so Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Christian Standard Bible
Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Contemporary English Version
Whenever the evil spirit from God bothered Saul, David would play his harp. Saul would relax and feel better, and the evil spirit would go away.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whenever God's spirit came to Saul, David took the lyre and strummed a tune. Saul got relief [from his terror] and felt better, and the evil spirit left him.

Good News Translation
From then on, whenever the evil spirit sent by God came on Saul, David would get his harp and play it. The evil spirit would leave, and Saul would feel better and be all right again.

International Standard Version
Whenever an evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the lyre and play it. Relief would come to Saul and he would be better, because the evil spirit would leave him.

Majority Standard Bible
And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

NET Bible
So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when the spirit from God was on Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

World English Bible
When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it has come to pass, in the spirit of [sadness from] God being on Saul, that David has taken the harp, and played with his hand, and Saul has refreshment and gladness, and the spirit of sadness has turned aside from off him.

Young's Literal Translation
And it hath come to pass, in the spirit of sadness from God being on Saul, that David hath taken the harp, and played with his hand, and Saul hath refreshment and gladness, and the spirit of sadness hath turned aside from off him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was in the spirit of God being upon Saul, and David took the harp and played with his hand, and it was refreshed to Saul, and it was good to him, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
So whensoever the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, David took his harp, and played with his hand, and Saul was refreshed, and was better, for the evil spirit departed from him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, whenever the evil spirit from the Lord assailed Saul, David took up his stringed instrument, and he struck it with his hand, and Saul was refreshed and uplifted. For the evil spirit withdrew from him.

New American Bible
Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take the harp and play, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, for the evil spirit would leave him.

New Revised Standard Version
And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And whenever the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, David took a harp, and played on it; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And whenever the evil spirit of LORD JEHOVAH was on Shaul, David took and he played on the harp and refreshed Shaul, and it was good for him, and the evil spirit passed away from him

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul found relief, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when the evil spirit was upon Saul, that David took his harp, and played with his hand: and Saul was refreshed, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Serves Saul
…22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” 23And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 18:10
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,

1 Samuel 19:9
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,

2 Kings 3:15
But now, bring me a harpist.” And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha

Judges 16:23-25
Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.” / And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.” / And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars.

1 Chronicles 25:1-3
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.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14
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 / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

Psalm 33:2-3
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.

Psalm 43:4
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.

Psalm 57:7-9
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music. / Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. / I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.

Psalm 92:1-3
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.

Psalm 144:9
I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You—

Matthew 9:32-33
As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. / And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

Matthew 12:22
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see.

Mark 5:2-15
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. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was on Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

the evil spirit

1 Samuel 16:14,16
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him…

Saul

1 Samuel 18:10,11
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 there was a javelin in Saul's hand…

Matthew 12:43-45
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none…

Luke 11:24-26
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out…

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1 Samuel 16

1. Samuel sent by God, under pretense of a sacrifice, comes to Bethlehem
6. His human judgment is reproved
11. He anoints David
15. Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit

Berean Study Bible

And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul
The phrase "the spirit from God" is significant in understanding the sovereignty of God over all spiritual realms. In Hebrew, the word for "spirit" is "ruach," which can mean breath, wind, or spirit. This indicates a powerful, invisible force. Theologically, this spirit is understood as a form of divine judgment or testing, as God allows Saul to experience distress due to his disobedience. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in divine spirits influencing human affairs.

David would take his harp and play
David's use of the harp, or "kinnor" in Hebrew, highlights the importance of music in spiritual and emotional healing. The harp was a common instrument in ancient Israel, used in both worship and royal courts. David's skill as a musician is not only a testament to his talents but also to the power of music as a divine gift that can soothe the soul and drive away distressing spirits. This act foreshadows David's future role as a leader who brings peace and order.

and relief would come to Saul
The relief that Saul experiences is both physical and spiritual. The Hebrew word for "relief" can also mean refreshment or rest, indicating a temporary reprieve from his torment. This suggests that God's mercy is still at work, even in judgment, providing moments of grace through David's ministry. It underscores the theme of God's provision and the restorative power of His presence, even when mediated through another person.

he would feel better
This phrase emphasizes the tangible impact of David's music on Saul's well-being. The improvement in Saul's condition is a testament to the effectiveness of God's chosen means of deliverance. It also reflects the biblical principle that obedience and service to God bring about healing and restoration. David's role as a servant to Saul prefigures his future as a shepherd-king, caring for the people of Israel.

and the evil spirit would leave him
The departure of the "evil spirit" signifies the temporary lifting of Saul's affliction. In Hebrew, "ra'ah" (evil) can denote something harmful or distressing rather than morally evil. This highlights the spiritual battle taking place and the authority of God's anointed servant, David, over such forces. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over darkness and the peace that comes through His anointed ones. This narrative foreshadows the greater deliverance brought by Jesus Christ, the ultimate Anointed One, who has authority over all spiritual forces.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) David took an harp, and played with his hand.--"The music," beautifully writes F. D. Maurice, "was more than a mere palliative. It brought back for the time the sense of a true order, a secret, inward harmony, an assurance that it is near every man, and that he may enter into it. A wonderful message, no doubt, to a king or a common man, better than a great multitude of words, a continual prophecy that there is a deliverer who can take the vulture from the heart, and unbind the sufferer from the rock. . . . As the boy minstrel played, the afflicted monarch was refreshed, and the dark clouds rolled away."

"He is Saul, ye remember in glory--ere error had bent

The broad brow from the daily communion, and still, though

much spent

Be the life and the bearing that front you, the same God did

choose

To receive what a man may waste, desecrate, never quite

lose."--BROWNING: Saul.

And the evil spirit departed from him.--Many instances besides those recorded above (see note to 1Samuel 16:16) might be quoted of the beneficial effects of music and singing upon a disturbed spirit, or on a mind diseased. The holy Elisha, we are told, when "disturbed in spirit," would call for a minstrel, and after listening to the sweet, soothing strains, would write and speak his prophetic utterances.

In modern times a well-known instance of this strange power over a troubled spirit is that of Philip V. of Spain, who, we are told, was restored from the deepest melancholy and depression by the sweet voice and words of Farinelli. Luther speaks of this power of music over the sick and weary soul as "one of the fairest and most glorious gifts of God, to which Satan is a bitter enemy, for it removes from the heart the weight of sorrow and the fascination of evil thoughts." Basil's words on this subject are worth quoting:--"Psalmody is the calm of the soul, the repose of the spirit, the arbiter of peace. It silences the wave, and conciliates the whirlwind of our passions. It is an engenderer of friendship, a healer of dissension, a reconciler of enemies. It repels demons, lures the ministry of angels, shields us from nightly terrors, and refreshes us in daily toil." . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And whenever
וְהָיָ֗ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the spirit
רֽוּחַ־ (rū·aḥ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

from God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

came
בִּֽהְי֤וֹת (bih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

upon
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Saul,
שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

David
דָּוִ֛ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

would pick up
וְלָקַ֥ח (wə·lā·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

his harp
הַכִּנּ֖וֹר (hak·kin·nō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3658: A harp

and play,
וְנִגֵּ֣ן (wə·nig·gên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5059: To touch or play a stringed instrument

and Saul
לְשָׁאוּל֙ (lə·šā·’ūl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

would become
וְרָוַ֤ח (wə·rā·waḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7304: To breathe freely, revive, to have ample room

well,
וְט֣וֹב (wə·ṭō·wḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

and the spirit
ר֥וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of distress
הָרָעָֽה׃ (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

would depart
וְסָ֥רָה (wə·sā·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

from him.
מֵעָלָ֖יו (mê·‘ā·lāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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OT History: 1 Samuel 16:23 It happened when the evil spirit (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)