After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from SaulThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Saul's kingship. The "Spirit of the LORD" refers to the divine presence and empowerment that had been with Saul since his anointing as king. In Hebrew, "Spirit" is "Ruach," which can mean breath, wind, or spirit, indicating a life-giving force. The departure of the Spirit signifies God's rejection of Saul as king due to his disobedience and failure to follow God's commands. This departure is not just a loss of divine favor but also a withdrawal of the guidance and strength that Saul needed to lead Israel. Historically, this reflects the theocratic nature of Israel's monarchy, where the king was expected to be a vessel of God's will. and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him
The phrase "an evil spirit from the LORD" can be perplexing, as it suggests that God sent a harmful spirit to Saul. In Hebrew, "evil" is "ra," which can mean bad, harmful, or distressing. This spirit is not evil in the moral sense but rather brings distress and turmoil. Theologically, this reflects the sovereignty of God over all creation, including spiritual entities. It serves as a divine judgment on Saul, highlighting the consequences of his disobedience. The term "tormented" indicates a severe mental or emotional disturbance, suggesting that Saul's rejection by God led to a profound inner turmoil. This aligns with the biblical theme that peace and stability come from God's presence, and without it, chaos ensues. This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and the spiritual consequences of turning away from God. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe 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. 2. The Spirit of the LORDRefers 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. 3. Evil Spirit from the LORDA troubling spirit allowed by God to afflict Saul. This spirit's presence signifies God's judgment and the consequences of Saul's disobedience. 4. SamuelThe prophet who anointed Saul and later David. Samuel served as a judge and spiritual leader in Israel. 5. DavidAlthough 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. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceSaul's loss of the Spirit underscores the necessity of obedience to God. Disobedience can lead to spiritual consequences and a loss of divine favor. God's SovereigntyThe 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. The Role of the Holy SpiritIn 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. Repentance and RestorationWhile 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. Spiritual WarfareThe 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. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's experience with the Spirit of the LORD departing challenge us to examine our own obedience to God? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, as warned in Ephesians 4:30? 3. How does understanding God's sovereignty over both good and evil spirits affect our trust in Him during difficult times? 4. What lessons can we learn from Saul's life about the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness? 5. How can we equip ourselves to face spiritual warfare, drawing from both Old and New Testament teachings? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 10:10Describes the initial coming of the Spirit of the LORD upon Saul, highlighting the contrast with 1 Samuel 16:14 where the Spirit departs. Psalm 51:11David's plea for God not to take His Holy Spirit from him, reflecting the fear of losing God's presence as Saul did. Judges 16:20The departure of the Spirit from Samson, another example of God's Spirit leaving due to disobedience. Ephesians 4:30Encourages believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God. People Abinadab, David, Eliab, Jesse, Samuel, Saul, ShammahPlaces Bethlehem, Gibeah, RamahTopics Aside, Departed, Evil, Sadness, Saul, Spirit, Terrified, Terrorized, Tormented, Troubled, TroublingDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 16:14 1115 God, purpose of
3257 Holy Spirit, gift of
4195 spirits
8706 apostasy, warnings
8735 evil, origins of
8738 evil, victory over 1 Samuel 16:13-14 3015 Holy Spirit, divinity
3272 Holy Spirit, in OT
7967 spiritual gifts, responsibility 1 Samuel 16:14-15 5334 health 1 Samuel 16:14-16 4132 demons, malevolence
4133 demons, possession by
4165 exorcism
5965 temperament 1 Samuel 16:14-20 4548 wineskin 1 Samuel 16:14-23 5537 sleeplessness Library The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Of the Joy of a Good Conscience
The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceeding much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil conscience is ever fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(1) And if they say …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Christ Crowned, the Fact
"When God sought a King for His people of old, He went to the fields to find him; A shepherd was he, with his crook and his lute And a following flock behind him. "O love of the sheep, O joy of the lute, And the sling and the stone for battle; A shepherd was King, the giant was naught, And the enemy driven like cattle. "When God looked to tell of His good will to men, And the Shepherd-King's son whom He gave them; To shepherds, made meek a-caring for sheep, He told of a Christ sent to save them. …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers. …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 16:14 NIV1 Samuel 16:14 NLT1 Samuel 16:14 ESV1 Samuel 16:14 NASB1 Samuel 16:14 KJV
1 Samuel 16:14 Commentaries
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