1 Samuel 16:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So it was that whenever the [evil] spirit from God came over Sha'ul, David would take the lyre and play it, with the result that Sha'ul would find relief and feel better, as the evil spirit left him.

Berean Standard Bible:

And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

American Standard Version:

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit^{H7307} from God^{H430} was upon Saul^{H7586}, that David^{H1732} took^{H3947} an harp^{H3658}, and played^{H5059} with his hand^{H3027}: so Saul^{H7586} was refreshed^{H7304}, and was well^{H2895}, and the evil^{H7451} spirit^{H7307} departed^{H5493} from him.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 16:23

1 Samuel 16:23 is set within the broader narrative of the transition of power from King Saul to David, who would eventually become one of the most celebrated kings in Israel's history. The verse captures a moment where the young David, who has been anointed by the prophet Samuel as Saul's successor, is serving in Saul's court.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the period when the Israelites, having demanded a king, are transitioning from a system of judges to a monarchy. Saul, the first king of Israel, has fallen out of favor with God due to his disobedience. As a result, the text describes God's Spirit departing from Saul, and an "evil spirit from the Lord" tormenting him. This phrase has been the subject of much theological discussion, as it seems to suggest that God directly causes Saul's distress. However, many interpret this as God permitting a troubling spirit rather than actively sending an evil one, or as a way to express divine judgment or chastisement.

In this verse, David's role as a musician is highlighted. Music was an integral part of life in ancient Israel, used in worship, celebration, and healing. David's skillful harp playing has a therapeutic effect on Saul, providing relief from his inner turmoil. The text suggests that the music David plays soothes Saul's tormented mind, indicating the power of music to calm and restore. This moment showcases David's character as a comforting presence and a man of many talents, foreshadowing his future leadership qualities.

The themes present in this verse include the power of music, the complex nature of divine interaction with human affairs, and the idea of transition and foreshadowing. David's musical intervention not only provides temporary respite for Saul but also serves as a narrative device to illustrate the contrast between the two men: Saul, the rejected king, and David, the future king and beloved of God. This scene underscores the biblical motif that God's favor can be both given and taken away, and that human actions have consequences in the divine economy. It also sets the stage for the eventual rise of David, who will become a central figure in Israel's history and in the lineage of the Messiah in Christian theology.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
   
2. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7586
   There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאוּל
   Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
   Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
   Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3658
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּנּוֹר
   Transliteration: kinnôwr
   Pronunciation: kin-nore'
   Description: from a unused root meaning to twang; a harp; harp.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5059
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַן
   Transliteration: nâgan
   Pronunciation: naw-gan'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to thrum, i.e. beat atune with the fingers; expectation. to play on astringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music; player on instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play(-er, -ing).
   
8. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7304
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָוַח
   Transliteration: râvach
   Pronunciation: raw-vakh'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with רוּחַ); properly, to breathe freely, i.e. revive; by implication, to have ample room; be refreshed, large.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2895
    There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טוֹב
    Transliteration: ṭôwb
    Pronunciation: tobe
    Description: a primitive root,; to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense; be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, [idiom] please, (be, do, go, play) well.
    
11. Strong's Number: H7451
    There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַע
    Transliteration: raʻ
    Pronunciation: rah
    Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
    
12. Strong's Number: H5493
    There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סוּר
    Transliteration: çûwr
    Pronunciation: soor
    Description: or שׂוּר; (Hosea 9:12), a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative); be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.