²³ 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.

¹⁰ And it happened on the next day that ^(A)the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, ^(B)and he prophesied inside the house. So David ^(C)played music with his hand, as at other times; ^(D)but there was a spear in Saul’s hand. ¹¹ And Saul ^(E)cast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.

A Distressing Spirit Troubles Saul

^14 (A)But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and ^(B)a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. ¹⁵ And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. ¹⁶ Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will ^(C)play it with his hand when the ^[a]distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”

An Unclean Spirit Returns^(A)

^24 (B)“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and ^(C)the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

An Unclean Spirit Returns^(A)

^43 (B)“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, ^(C)he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴ Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; ^(D)and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”