1 Samuel 16:17

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Bible in Basic English

And Saul said to his servants, Then get me a man who is an expert player, and make him come to me.

Free Bible Version

Saul gave the order to his servants, “Find me someone who is good at playing the harp and bring him to me.”

King James (Authorized) Version

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Translation for Translators

Saul replied, “Fine/Okay, find for me a man who can play the harp well, and bring him to me.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man that can play well and bring him to me.”

Noah Webster Bible

And Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

World English Bible

Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Saul saith unto his servants, 'Provide, I pray you, for me a man playing well — then ye have brought [him] in unto me.'

Context

David Serves Saul

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.”¹⁷And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”

Summary

In this verse, we see the story of Samuel anointing David as the future king of Israel. David, a young shepherd boy, is chosen by God despite not being the eldest or most obvious choice. This event highlights God's sovereignty in selecting leaders based on their hearts rather than outward appearances. It also foreshadows the coming of Jesus, who would be a descendant of David and the ultimate King of kings. The anointing of David serves as a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways, and He often works through unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Saul said unto his servants,.... Approving of, and pleased with the advice they gave: provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me; for being a sovereign prince, he could command whom he would to attend to his person and service.

1 Samuel 16:17

David Serves Saul

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Bible in Basic English

And Saul said to his servants, Then get me a man who is an expert player, and make him come to me.

Free Bible Version

Saul gave the order to his servants, “Find me someone who is good at playing the harp and bring him to me.”

King James (Authorized) Version

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Translation for Translators

Saul replied, “Fine/Okay, find for me a man who can play the harp well, and bring him to me.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man that can play well and bring him to me.”

Noah Webster Bible

And Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

World English Bible

Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Saul saith unto his servants, 'Provide, I pray you, for me a man playing well — then ye have brought [him] in unto me.'