1 Samuel 19:9

And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with [his] hand.

And the evil {H7451} spirit {H7307} from the LORD {H3068} was upon Saul {H7586}, as he sat {H3427} in his house {H1004} with his javelin {H2595} in his hand {H3027}: and David {H1732} played {H5059} with his hand {H3027}.

Then an evil spirit from ADONAI came upon Sha'ul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. David was playing his lyre,

But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp,

And an evil spirit from Jehovah was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing with his hand.

Commentary

1 Samuel 19:9 describes another instance of King Saul's volatile and dangerous behavior, fueled by a tormenting spirit and deep-seated jealousy towards David. As David faithfully played music to soothe the king, Saul, consumed by his affliction, once again attempted to take David's life with a javelin.

Context

This verse is set during a period of escalating tension between King Saul and David. Saul's reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to the Lord's rejection of him as king (1 Samuel 15:23). Consequently, an evil spirit from the LORD began to torment Saul (1 Samuel 16:14), often manifesting as fits of rage and paranoia. David, who had been anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13) and was known for his skill as a musician, was initially brought into Saul's court to calm him with his harp playing. However, David's military success and growing popularity quickly ignited Saul's intense jealousy. This verse records a second direct attempt on David's life with a javelin, following a similar incident in 1 Samuel 18:11, highlighting Saul's deteriorating mental state and murderous intent.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The phrase "the evil spirit from the LORD" emphasizes God's ultimate control, even over forces that bring affliction. This spirit was not inherently evil from God's character, but rather a spirit of distress or torment permitted by God as a consequence of Saul's disobedience and rebellion. It served as a divine judgment against Saul, stripping him of peace and stability.
  • The Destructive Power of Jealousy and Paranoia: Saul's unchecked envy of David's success and popularity transformed into a consuming madness, leading him to repeatedly attempt murder. This illustrates how sin, when nurtured, can lead to irrational and violent behavior.
  • David's Faithfulness Amidst Danger: Despite the clear and present danger, David continued to serve Saul, playing music in an attempt to alleviate the king's distress. This demonstrates David's steadfast character and trust in God's protection, even when facing mortal threats from his own sovereign.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "evil spirit from the LORD" (ruach ra'ah me'eth Yahweh) is significant. It does not imply that God creates evil, but rather that He is sovereign over all spirits and can allow or send a spirit of affliction as a means of judgment or discipline. This spirit caused Saul great distress, a form of divine retribution for his rebellion. The "javelin" (chanith) was a common weapon of the time, symbolizing Saul's royal authority and military power, now tragically turned into an instrument of his personal rage.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked sin, particularly jealousy and bitterness, which can lead to destructive behaviors and inner torment. It highlights the importance of addressing sin before it consumes us. Furthermore, it demonstrates God's sovereignty, reminding us that even in difficult or seemingly chaotic situations, God is at work, often through means we may not fully understand, to accomplish His purposes. For believers, it also offers an example of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of adversity, as David continued to serve despite the grave personal risk.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 16:14 (5 votes)

    ¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

  • 1 Samuel 16:16 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 18:10 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and [there was] a javelin in Saul's hand.

  • 1 Samuel 18:11 (3 votes)

    And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall [with it]. And David avoided out of his presence twice.