1 Samuel 16:15

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Bible in Basic English

And Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.

Free Bible Version

Saul's servants told him, “It's definitely an evil spirit from God that's tormenting you.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Translation for Translators

One of his servants said to him, “It is evident that an evil spirit sent by God is terrifying you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Saul's servants said to him, “Look, a harmful spirit from God troubles you.

Noah Webster Bible

And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

World English Bible

Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.

Young's Literal Translation

and the servants of Saul say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness [from] God is terrifying thee;

Context

David Serves Saul

¹⁴After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.¹⁵Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.¹⁶Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.”

Summary

This verse depicts King Saul experiencing torment from an evil spirit sent by God as a consequence of his disobedience. It highlights the spiritual warfare present in the Old Testament, where God's favor could depart from individuals due to their actions. Saul's suffering serves as a warning about the dangers of rebellion and the importance of obedience to God's commands. It also sets the stage for the anointing of David as the future king, showcasing God's sovereignty in raising up leaders according to His will.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Saul's servants said unto him,.... His courtiers, who observing him to act in a frantic manner, to be dull and melancholy, timorous, and irresolute, unsteady, divided, and distressed; or his physicians, who were called in to assist him, and remove his disorder from him: behold, now an evil spirit from God troubleth thee: the disorder was not from any natural cause, or any bodily disease, and therefore out of the reach of physicians to do any service, but was from an evil spirit suffered of God to harass and disturb him.

1 Samuel 16:15

David Serves Saul

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Bible in Basic English

And Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.

Free Bible Version

Saul's servants told him, “It's definitely an evil spirit from God that's tormenting you.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Translation for Translators

One of his servants said to him, “It is evident that an evil spirit sent by God is terrifying you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Saul's servants said to him, “Look, a harmful spirit from God troubles you.

Noah Webster Bible

And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

World English Bible

Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.

Young's Literal Translation

and the servants of Saul say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness [from] God is terrifying thee;