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1 Samuel 16:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 16:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
1 Samuel 16:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
19Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.
20And Jesse took an ass [laden] with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
← 1 Samuel 16:161 Samuel 16:18 →
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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 said unto his servants, etc.] 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.”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification