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, The next dayThis phrase indicates a continuation of the narrative from the previous events, emphasizing the immediacy and progression of Saul's troubled state. In the Hebrew context, the term for "day" (יוֹם, yom) often signifies a literal day but can also imply a period of time marked by significant events. Here, it underscores the swift unfolding of God's plan and the escalating tension between Saul and David. a spirit of distress from God
The Hebrew word for "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach) can mean wind, breath, or spirit, often denoting an influence or force. The phrase "from God" indicates divine sovereignty, suggesting that God allowed this distressing spirit to come upon Saul as part of His judgment and plan. This spirit of distress (רָעָה, ra'ah) reflects a state of turmoil and agitation, highlighting Saul's spiritual and mental decline due to his disobedience and rejection of God's will. came upon Saul
The verb "came upon" (צָלַח, tsalach) implies a sudden and forceful action, indicating that Saul was overtaken by this spirit. This reflects the loss of God's favor and the resulting vulnerability to spiritual and emotional instability. Saul's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God. and he prophesied
The Hebrew word for "prophesied" (נָבָא, naba) can mean to speak or sing by inspiration, often associated with ecstatic utterance. In this context, it suggests an involuntary action, not necessarily conveying divine truth but rather reflecting Saul's disturbed state. This contrasts with true prophecy, which is inspired by the Holy Spirit and aligned with God's purposes. inside the house
This phrase situates the event within a domestic setting, highlighting the personal and intimate nature of Saul's turmoil. The house, often a place of safety and refuge, becomes a stage for Saul's inner conflict, emphasizing the pervasive impact of his spiritual distress. while David was playing the harp
David's role as a musician is significant, as music in the ancient Near East was often used for worship and to soothe troubled spirits. The harp (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor) is a stringed instrument associated with joy and divine presence. David's playing represents his faithfulness and service, contrasting with Saul's instability and foreshadowing David's future role as king. as he did day by day
This phrase underscores David's consistent and faithful service to Saul, despite the growing danger. It reflects the biblical principle of perseverance and steadfastness in the face of adversity. David's daily presence and ministry through music highlight his character and God's preparation of him for leadership. Saul had a spear in his hand
The spear (חֲנִית, chanit) symbolizes Saul's aggression and the threat of violence. In the biblical narrative, the hand often represents power and intent. Saul's grip on the spear foreshadows his hostile actions towards David, illustrating the destructive nature of jealousy and fear. This image contrasts with David's peaceful and God-honoring actions, setting the stage for the unfolding drama between the two men. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is experiencing distress and jealousy, particularly towards David. 2. DavidA young shepherd who has been anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. He is known for his musical skills and bravery, having recently defeated Goliath. 3. Spirit of DistressA troubling spirit sent by God to Saul, causing him emotional and mental turmoil. This spirit is a divine judgment reflecting Saul's disobedience and rejection by God. 4. ProphesyingIn this context, it refers to Saul's erratic behavior under the influence of the distressing spirit, not necessarily delivering messages from God. 5. The HouseLikely refers to Saul's residence or palace where David was serving him by playing the harp to soothe his troubled spirit. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's distressing spirit is a direct result of his disobedience to God. This serves as a warning about the spiritual and emotional consequences of turning away from God's commands. The Role of Music in Spiritual WarfareDavid's harp playing is a form of ministry to Saul, illustrating how music can be used to calm and bring peace in times of spiritual distress. Jealousy and Its DangersSaul's jealousy towards David leads to irrational behavior and attempts on David's life. This highlights the destructive nature of envy and the importance of guarding our hearts against it. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentThe distressing spirit is sent by God, reminding us of His ultimate control over all circumstances, including the discipline of His people. The Importance of Spiritual DiscernmentUnderstanding the spiritual dynamics at play in our lives requires discernment, as seen in the interactions between Saul, David, and the distressing spirit. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's experience with the distressing spirit illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God? Reflect on personal experiences where disobedience led to spiritual or emotional distress. 2. In what ways can music or other forms of art be used as tools for spiritual healing and warfare in your life or community? 3. How can we guard our hearts against jealousy and envy, especially when we see others being blessed or elevated? 4. What does Saul's account teach us about the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God and the Holy Spirit? 5. How can we develop spiritual discernment to recognize and respond to the spiritual dynamics in our lives, similar to how David navigated his relationship with Saul? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:14This verse provides context for Saul's distress, noting that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. Ephesians 4:30This New Testament verse warns against grieving the Holy Spirit, which can be connected to Saul's experience of losing the Spirit's guidance due to disobedience. Psalm 51:11David's plea not to have the Holy Spirit taken from him, reflecting his awareness of Saul's plight and the importance of remaining in God's favor. People Adriel, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Acting, David, Evil, Force, Forcefully, Harp, Javelin, Lyre, Making, Midst, Mightily, Morrow, Music, Pass, Played, Playing, Prophesied, Prophesieth, Prophesying, Prophet, Prospereth, Raved, Rushed, Sadness, Saul, Saul's, Spear, Spirit, Usual, Usually, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 18:10 1431 prophecy, OT methods
4195 spirits
5088 David, character
5156 hand
5332 harp
5405 medicine
5420 music
8738 evil, victory over 1 Samuel 18:6-12 5890 insecurity 1 Samuel 18:6-15 5965 temperament 1 Samuel 18:8-11 5568 suffering, causes 1 Samuel 18:9-11 4133 demons, possession by 1 Samuel 18:9-12 5086 David, rise of 1 Samuel 18:10-11 4132 demons, malevolence
5422 musicians
5545 spear
5604 walls
8339 self-control
8735 evil, origins of Library A Soul's Tragedy
'And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war; and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. 7. And the women answered one another as they played, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWar! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The Exile.
David's first years at the court of Saul in Gibeah do not appear to have produced any psalms which still survive. "The sweetest songs are those Which tell of saddest thought." It was natural, then, that a period full of novelty and of prosperous activity, very unlike the quiet days at Bethlehem, should rather accumulate materials for future use than be fruitful in actual production. The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How the Poor and the Rich Should be Admonished.
(Admonition 3.) Differently to be admonished are the poor and the rich: for to the former we ought to offer the solace of comfort against tribulation, but in the latter to induce fear as against elation. For to the poor one it is said by the Lord through the prophet, Fear not, for thou shalt not be confounded (Isai. liv. 4). And not long after, soothing her, He says, O thou poor little one, tossed with tempest (Ibid. 11). And again He comforts her, saying, I have chosen thee in the furnace of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments 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 18:10 NIV1 Samuel 18:10 NLT1 Samuel 18:10 ESV1 Samuel 18:10 NASB1 Samuel 18:10 KJV
1 Samuel 18:10 Commentaries
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