1 Samuel 16:14-23

GOD’S WORD Translation

David Plays the Lyre for Saul

¹⁴ Now, the Lord’s Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. ¹⁵ Saul’s officials told him, “An evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶ Your Majesty, why don’t you command us to look for a man who can play the lyre well? When the evil spirit from God comes to you, he’ll strum a tune, and you’ll feel better.”

¹⁷ Saul told his officials, “Please find me a man who can play well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the officials said, “I know one of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem who can play well. He’s a courageous man and a warrior. He has a way with words, he is handsome, and the Lord is with him.”

¹⁹ Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

²⁰ Jesse took six bushels of bread, a full wineskin, and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. ²¹ David came to Saul and served him. Saul loved him very much and made David his armorbearer. ²² Saul sent ⌞this message⌟ to Jesse, “Please let David stay with me because I have grown fond of him.”

²³ 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.