BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 16› Verse 15

1 Samuel 16:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 16:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Saul`s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Saul`s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
1 Samuel 16:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look upon. And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he.
13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
14Now the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him.
15And Saul`s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16Let our lord now command thy servants, that are before thee, to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the 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.
17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
18Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him.
← 1 Samuel 16:141 Samuel 16:16 →
← Full Chapter 16 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul’s servants said unto him, etc.] 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.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The “evil” or “melancholy” spirit here spoken of was “the Spirit of God,” or “of Jehovah,” as being God’s messenger and minister, sent by Him to execute His righteous purpose upon Saul (see 1 Kings 22:19-22 note). return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification