1 Samuel 16:18

Contextual Overview

¹⁴Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. ¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. ¹⁴Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh terrorized him. ¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him. ¹⁴ But the spirite of the Lorde departed from Saul, and an euill spirite [sent] of the Lord vexed him. ¹⁴ The Lord 's Spirit left Saul. Then the Lord sent an evil spirit to Saul that caused him much trouble. ¹⁴ And the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah terrified him. ¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. ¹⁴ Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. ¹⁴ But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an euil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a mighty: 1 Samuel 17:32-36, 2 Samuel 17:8, 2 Samuel 17:10

and prudent: 2 Samuel 14:20

matters: or, speech.

a comely: 1 Samuel 16:12

the Lord: 1 Samuel 3:19, 1 Samuel 10:7, 1 Samuel 18:12-14, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:23, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:20

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:18 - a man 1 Samuel 16:13 - the Spirit 1 Samuel 17:12 - David 1 Samuel 17:31 - sent for him 1 Samuel 17:58 - I am the son 1 Samuel 18:14 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 9:20 - the Lord Psalms 89:19 - I have laid Psalms 131:1 - my heart Proverbs 12:8 - commended Haggai 2:4 - for Zechariah 10:5 - as Luke 1:66 - And the John 7:42 - where

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then answered one of the servants,.... Which the Jews say m was Doeg the Edomite, who out of envy and ill will to David spake of him, that Saul might have an opportunity of slaying him; but this is not at all likely; rather it was one of David's friends and acquaintance, that was desirous of promoting him at court, and no doubt was directed to that motion by the overruling providence of God:

and said, behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite; he does not mention the name of his son, but so describes him, that he might be easily known by those who knew anything of the family of Jesse; besides it was sufficient that he was one of Jesse's sons, to find him out:

[that is] cunning in playing; that is, on the harp; has good skill in music, and is expert in it:

and a mighty valiant man; as appeared by his encountering with and slaying the lion and the bear; an event now past, as very probable:

and a man of war some think this character of him was given after the affair of his fighting with Goliath and killing him, but here put by a prolepsis or anticipation; and indeed if David had been taken into Saul's court before that affair, it is difficult to account for Saul's ignorance of him, since he must be so near him, and so often with him, as his musician and armourbearer; though that difficulty may be removed, as may be observed in its proper place:

and prudent in matters; in his talk and conversation, and conduct and behaviour; knew how to carry himself, even in a prince's court: and a comely person; which always recommended to the courts of the eastern nations; :-.

and the Lord is with him; prospering and succeeding him in whatsoever he is engaged; and seeing the Lord was with him, it might be expected the evil spirit would depart from Saul, when this person, with whom the Lord was, was in his presence. The Targum is,

"the Word of the Lord is for his help;''

all that is said of him showed that he was fit to be in the palace of a king, and a proper person to be with Saul in his present circumstances.

m T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 93. 2. So in Hieron. Trad. Heb in lib. Reg. fol. 76. C.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A mighty valiant man ... - David’s reputation for courage, skill, discretion, and manly beauty, was already great. Since “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him,” his natural qualities and powers had been greatly enhanced. His feat of killing the lion and the bear (see the marginal references) had been performed, like Samson’s feats of strength Judges 14:6, Judges 14:19; Judges 15:14, under the same supernatural influence, and was probably more or less known.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 16:18. I have seen a son of Jesse — Dr. Warburton supposes the story is anticipated from 1 Samuel 16:14-23, and that the true chronology of this part of David's life is the following: -

1. David is anointed by Samuel;

2. Carries provisions to his brethren in the army;

3. Fights with and kills Goliath;

4. Is received into the king's court,

5. Contracts a friendship with Jonathan;

6. Incurs Saul's jealousy;

7. Retires to his father's house;

8. Is after some time sent for by Saul to sooth his melancholy with his harp;

9. Again excites Saul's jealousy, who endeavours to smite him with his javelin. This anticipation between the 14th and 23d verse comes in, in the order of time, between verses 9 and 10, 1 Samuel 18:9; 1 Samuel 18:10, where the breach is apparent.