Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close NET

1 Samuel 16:14-23
New English Translation

David Appears before Saul

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit[a] from the Lord tormented him. 15 Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre[b] and you will feel better.”[c] 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find[d] me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of his attendants replied,[e] “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior[f] and is articulate[g] and handsome,[h] for the Lord is with him.”

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat[i] and sent them to Saul with[j] his son David. 21 David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal,[k] and he became his armor-bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, “Let David be my servant, for I am very pleased with him.”[l]

23 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.[m]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 16:14 tn Or “an injurious spirit”; cf. NLT “a tormenting spirit.” The phrase need not refer to an evil, demonic spirit. The Hebrew word translated “evil” may refer to the character of the spirit or to its effect upon Saul. If the latter, another translation option might be “a mischief-making spirit.”
  2. 1 Samuel 16:16 tn Heb “and he will play with his hand.”
  3. 1 Samuel 16:16 tn Heb “and it will be better for you.”
  4. 1 Samuel 16:17 tn Heb “see.”
  5. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “answered and said.”
  6. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “mighty man of valor and a man of war.”
  7. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “discerning of word.”
  8. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “a man of form.”
  9. 1 Samuel 16:20 tn Heb “a kid of the goats.”
  10. 1 Samuel 16:20 tn Heb “by the hand of.”
  11. 1 Samuel 16:21 tn Heb “he loved him.”
  12. 1 Samuel 16:22 tn Heb “Let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes.”
  13. 1 Samuel 16:23 tn Heb “would turn aside from upon him.”
Close NRSVUE

1 Samuel 16:14-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

David Plays the Lyre for Saul

14 Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.(A) 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command the servants who attend you to look for someone who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.”(B) 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.” 18 One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.”(C) 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid and sent them by his son David to Saul.(D) 21 And David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul[a] loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer.(E) 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 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.(F)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 16.21 Heb He
Next
1 Samuel 15
1 Samuel 17
Next
dropdown
New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.