TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
Complete Jewish Bible
Sha'ul said to his servants, "Find me a man who can play well, and bring him to me."
Berean Standard Bible
And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”
American Standard Version
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
World English Bible Messianic
Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Saul then saide vnto his seruantes, Prouide me a man, I pray you, that 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.'
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Commentary on 1 Samuel 16 verses 14–23
14 ¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
23 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.
We have here Saul falling and David rising.
I. Here is Saul made a terror to himself (Sa1 16:14): The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. He having forsaken God and his duty, God, in a way of righteous judgment, withdrew from him those assistances of the good Spirit with which he was directed, animated, and encouraged in his government and wars. He lost all his good qualities. This was the effect of his rejecting God, and an evidence of his being rejected by him. Now God took his mercy from Saul (as it is expressed, Sa2 7:15); for, when the Spirit of the Lord departs from us, all good goes. When men grieve and quench the Spirit, by wilful sin, he departs, and will not always strive. The consequence of this was that an evil spirit from God troubled him. Those that drive the good Spirit away from the do of course become prey to the evil spirit. If God and his grace do not rule us, sin and Satan will have possession of us. The devil, by the divine permission, troubled and terrified Saul, by means of the corrupt humours of his body and passions of his mind. He grew fretful, and peevish, and discontented, timorous and suspicious, ever and anon starting and trembling; he was sometimes, says Josephus, as if he had been choked or strangled, and a perfect demoniac by fits. This made him unfit for business, precipitate in his counsels, the contempt of his enemies, and a burden to all about him.
II. Here is David made a physician to Saul, and by this means brought to court, a physician that helped him against the worst of diseases, when none else could. David was newly appointed privately to the kingdom. It would be of use to him to go to court and see the world; and here his doing so is brought about for him without any contrivance of his own or his friends. Note, Those whom God designs for any service his providence shall concur with his grace to prepare and qualify for it. Saul is distempered; his servants have the honesty and courage to tell him what his distemper is (Sa1 16:15), an evil spirit, not by chance but from God and his providence, troubleth thee. Now, 1. The means they all advised him to for his relief was music (Sa1 16:16): "Let us have a cunning player on the harp to attend thee." How much better friends had they been to him if they had advised him, since the evil spirit was from the Lord, to give all diligence to make his peace with God by true repentance, to send for Samuel to pray with him and to intercede with God for him! then might he not only have had some present relief, but the good Spirit would have returned to him. But their project is to make him merry, and so cure him. Many whose consciences are convinced and startled are for ever ruined by such methods as these, which drown all care of the soul in the delights of sense. Yet Saul's servants did not amiss to send for music as a help to cheer up the spirits, if they had but withal sent for a prophet to give him good counsel. And (as bishop Hall observes) it was well they did not send for a witch or diviner, by his enchantments to cast out the evil spirit, which has been the abominably wicked practice of some that have worn the Christian name, who consult the devil in their distresses and make hell their refuge. It will be no less than a miracle of divine grace if those who thus agree with Satan ever break off from him again. 2. One of his servants recommended David to him, as a fit person to be employed in the use of these means, little imagining that he was the man whom Samuel meant when he told Saul of a neighbour of his, better than he, who should have the kingdom, Sa1 15:28. It is a very high character which the servant of Saul's here gives of David (Sa1 16:18), that he was not only fit for his purpose as a comely person and skilful in playing, but a man of courage and conduct, a mighty valiant man, and prudent in all matters, fit to be further preferred, and (which crowned his character) the Lord is with him. By this it appears that though David, after he was anointed, returned to his country business, and there remained on his head no marks of the oil, so careful was he to keep that secret, yet the workings of the Spirit signified by the oil could not be hid, but made him shine in obscurity, so that all his neighbours observed with wonder the great improvements of his mind on a sudden. David, even in his shepherd's garb, has become an oracle, a champion, and every thing that is great. His fame reached the court soon, for Saul was inquisitive after such young men, Sa1 14:52. When the Spirit of God comes upon a man he will make his face to shine. 3. David is hereupon sent for to court. And it seems, (1.) His father was very willing to part with him, sent him very readily, and a present with him to Saul, Sa1 16:20. The present was, according to the usage of those times, bread and wine (compare, Sa1 10:3, Sa1 10:4), therefore acceptable because expressive of the homage and allegiance of him that sent it. Probably Jesse, who knew what his son David was designed for, was aware that Providence was herein fitting him for it, and therefore he would not force Providence by sending him to court uncalled, yet he followed Providence very cheerfully when he saw it plainly putting him into the way of preferment. Some suggest that when Jesse received that message, Send me David thy son, he began to be afraid that Saul had got some intimation of his being anointed, and sent for him to do him a mischief, and therefore Jesse sent a present to pacify him; but it is probable that the person, whoever he was, that brought the message, gave him an account on what design he was sent for. (2.) Saul became very kind to him (Sa1 16:21), loved him greatly, and designed to make him his armour-bearer, and (contrary to the manner of the king, Sa1 8:11) asked his father's leave to keep him in his service (Sa1 16:22): Let David, I pray thee, stand before me. And good reason he had to respect him, for he did him a great deal of service with his music, Sa1 16:23. Only his instrumental music with his harp is mentioned, but it should seem, by the account Josephus gives, that he added vocal music to it, and sung hymns, probably divine hymns, songs of praise, to his harp. David's music was Saul's physic. [1.] Music has a natural tendency to compose and exhilarate the mind, when it is disturbed and saddened. Elisha used it for the calming of his spirits, Kg2 3:15. On some it has a greater influence and effect than on others, and, probably, Saul was one of those. Not that it charmed the evil spirit, but it made his spirit sedate, and allayed those tumults of the animal spirits by which the devil had advantage against him. The beams of the sun (it is the learned Bochart's comparison) cannot be cut with a sword, quenched with water, or blown out with wind, but, by closing the window-shutters, they may be kept out of the chamber. Music cannot work upon the devil, but it may shut up the passages by which he has access to the mind. [2.] David's music was extraordinary, and in mercy to him, that he might gain a reputation at court, as one that had the Lord with him. God made his performances in music more successful, in this case, than those of others would have been. Saul found, even after he had conceived an enmity to David, that no one else could do him the same service (Kg2 19:9, Kg2 19:10), which was a great aggravation of his outrage against him. It is a pity that music, which may be so serviceable to the good temper of the mind, should ever be abused by any to the support of vanity and luxury, and made an occasion of drawing the heart away from God and serious things: if this be to any the effect of it, it drives away the good Spirit, not the evil spirit.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–23. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
Provide for me someone who sings well, etc., Indeed, he said, I know many who are skilled in singing, but provide and bring to me someone who sings well; which is like the Jews agreeing with the words of the apostles, saying, indeed we know many who have been crucified for their sins, but we have recognized that they are of no benefit to themselves or to us. Therefore, ensure that you imbue us with his sacraments, instructing us in his faith and love in our hearts, who, by mortifying his limbs on the wood, would redeem us from eternal death.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 16:17 marks a pivotal and divinely orchestrated moment in the narrative of Israel's monarchy, where King Saul, increasingly tormented by a malevolent spirit and profound melancholy, issues an urgent command to his servants: to locate and bring to him a man exceptionally skilled in playing a musical instrument. This seemingly desperate search for human solace, born out of Saul's deep distress, serves as the precise, albeit unwitting, gateway for David, God's anointed shepherd boy, to enter the royal court, thereby setting the stage for the inevitable transition of kingship from the disobedient Saul to the divinely chosen David.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and underscore its theological depth. Irony is profoundly present, as Saul, seeking relief from a divinely appointed affliction, unwittingly commands the introduction of the very man destined by God to replace him as king. His desperate attempt to alleviate his suffering through human means becomes the precise vehicle for God's sovereign plan to unfold. There is also strong Foreshadowing, as David's entry into the royal court as a musician subtly hints at his future role as a leader who will bring harmony, peace, and righteous order to Israel, a stark contrast to the increasing discord and chaos of Saul's reign. Finally, the narrative powerfully demonstrates Divine Providence, where God's unseen hand meticulously orchestrates human actions and circumstances—even a king's profound distress—to achieve His ultimate purposes, revealing that Saul's desperate search for a musician is not a random event but a divinely appointed step in the inevitable transition of power.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the intricate intersection of human need and divine sovereignty. Saul, in his profound distress, desperately seeks a human solution to his torment, yet his very command becomes the precise means by which God introduces His chosen king, David, into the royal court. It underscores the profound truth that God can and does use ordinary circumstances, even the desperate pleas of an unfaithful king, to advance His extraordinary, redemptive purposes. This passage serves as a profound reminder that while we may naturally seek comfort and solutions in our own ways, God is always at work behind the scenes, meticulously weaving our lives and circumstances into His grand redemptive plan. It highlights the principle that God's ways are often beyond our immediate understanding, and His timing is perfect, even when it involves the suffering or decline of those who have strayed from His path, all for the ultimate good of His people and the glory of His name.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 16:17 invites us to deeply reflect on the nature of our own distress and where we instinctively turn for relief. Like Saul, we frequently encounter overwhelming challenges—whether spiritual, emotional, or physical—and our immediate inclination might be to seek tangible, human-centric solutions. While it is wise and often necessary to utilize human wisdom and available resources, this passage subtly yet profoundly challenges us to consider the ultimate source of our comfort, peace, and true healing. It reminds us that God often works in unexpected and unconventional ways, using seemingly mundane or even difficult circumstances to accomplish His sovereign and often hidden will. Our unique talents, skills, and even our current roles, no matter how ordinary they may appear, can be potent instruments in God's hands, not just for our own immediate benefit or the temporary relief of others, but for the profound advancement of His kingdom in ways we may not foresee. We are called to be faithful and diligent in our present circumstances, trusting implicitly that God can use our current roles and abilities to prepare us for future purposes, even if those purposes are initially veiled from our limited human perspective.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Saul need music, and what was the nature of his "evil spirit"?
Answer: Saul needed music because he was tormented by an "evil spirit from the Lord" (1 Samuel 16:14). This affliction caused him profound distress, manifesting as fits of melancholy, paranoia, and potentially even madness, which rendered him incapable of effective rule and brought him great personal agony. The nature of this "evil spirit" is a subject of scholarly debate; some interpret it as a literal demonic entity permitted by God as a judgment for Saul's disobedience, while others understand it as a severe psychological or depressive illness that God sovereignly used to accomplish His purposes. In either interpretation, it was a divinely permitted affliction that left Saul in deep agony. Music, particularly from stringed instruments like the harp, was widely believed in ancient cultures to possess therapeutic and calming effects, capable of soothing troubled minds and even warding off malevolent influences. Saul's servants, observing his torment, wisely suggested a skilled musician as a practical remedy to alleviate his suffering (1 Samuel 16:16), a suggestion Saul eagerly embraced.
Was David's introduction to Saul merely a coincidence, or was it part of God's plan?
Answer: David's introduction to Saul was far from a mere coincidence; it was a profound demonstration of God's meticulous sovereign plan and divine providence. While Saul acted out of his immediate and desperate need for relief from his torment, God was simultaneously orchestrating every detail to bring His chosen king, David, into the royal court. David had already been secretly anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). The precise timing of Saul's distress, coupled with the servants' suggestion and David's known exceptional skill as a musician, allowed God to strategically place His anointed one in a position where he would gain invaluable experience in the court, learn about the kingdom's inner workings, and eventually be recognized by the people. This aligns perfectly with biblical principles that God directs the steps of individuals, even through seemingly mundane or difficult circumstances, to fulfill His ultimate purposes (Proverbs 16:9 and Psalm 37:23).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of 1 Samuel 16:17, detailing Saul's desperate search for a "man that can play well" to soothe his tormented spirit, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect provision of God in Jesus Christ. Saul sought a temporary, human remedy for a divinely ordained spiritual torment, and God sovereignly supplied David, a shepherd-king and skilled musician, who brought temporary relief and ultimately became the true king. This points directly to Christ, the ultimate Davidic King, who is the true "man" uniquely qualified and divinely appointed to bring lasting peace and eternal healing to humanity's deepest spiritual torment. Just as David's music brought a measure of calm to Saul, Jesus, through His very presence, His life, and His atoning work on the cross, offers a profound peace that transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7). He is not merely a temporary soother of symptoms but the promised Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) who perfectly takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), addressing the very root cause of humanity's spiritual distress and alienation from God. Where Saul's reign ended in despair, spiritual decline, and ultimate defeat, Christ's eternal kingdom brings true rest to weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30). He is the true King, chosen and anointed by God, who perfectly fulfills the longing for a deliverer and brings ultimate harmony and reconciliation to a world plagued by sin, chaos, and spiritual brokenness, ruling not by force, but by grace, truth, and sacrificial love.