1 Samuel 16:15 kjv
And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
1 Samuel 16:15 nkjv
And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.
1 Samuel 16:15 niv
Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
1 Samuel 16:15 esv
And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
1 Samuel 16:15 nlt
Some of Saul's servants said to him, "A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you.
1 Samuel 16 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 16:14 | But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. | Precedes current verse; direct cause of Saul's state. |
| 1 Sam 18:10 | ...a distressing spirit from God came powerfully upon Saul... | Continues to trouble Saul after David's anointing. |
| 1 Sam 19:9 | Now a distressing spirit from the LORD came upon Saul... | Further instances of the spirit troubling Saul. |
| 1 Kgs 22:23 | "So now, behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets...". | God's sovereignty even over malevolent spirits. |
| Job 1:12 | And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power...". | God permits affliction from spiritual beings. |
| Isa 45:7 | "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things." | God's absolute sovereignty over good and evil/distress. |
| Amos 3:6 | "If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If disaster befalls a city, has not the LORD done it?" | God is the ultimate cause or permits all things. |
| Judg 9:23 | God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. | God uses "evil spirits" to fulfill His judgment. |
| 2 Sam 24:1 | Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go, count Israel and Judah." | God can incite/use agents to bring about His will, even distress. |
| Ps 42:5 | Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? | Describes similar internal turmoil or despondency. |
| Ps 55:4 | My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. | Expresses deep personal distress and internal fear. |
| Mk 5:1-20 | Account of Legion, a man possessed by many demons. | New Testament understanding of demonic affliction, distinct yet echoing severe distress. |
| Lk 8:26-39 | Parallel account of the Gerasene demoniac. | Further example of external spiritual oppression. |
| Rom 9:17-18 | For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up..." | God hardens hearts and permits affliction for His purposes. |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. | God's ultimate control over human outcomes and paths. |
| Deut 28:15 | But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these curses shall come upon you. | Disobedience leads to divine judgment, including internal torment. |
| Gal 5:16-17 | But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh... | Contrast between living by God's Spirit vs. internal struggle and fleshy desires. |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds... | God provides peace as an antidote to distress, implicitly against such spirits. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. | Distinguishes God's Spirit from spirits that bring fear/distress. |
| Matt 12:43-45 | When an unclean spirit comes out of a person... goes to find other spirits... | Illustrates spiritual realities and potential for worse affliction if unchecked. |
| Jer 3:23 | Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. | Calls to rely on God for salvation from distress, not other means. |
| Jn 14:27 | Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. | Christ's peace contrasts sharply with the spirit of distress. |
1 Samuel 16 verses
1 Samuel 16 15 Meaning
1 Samuel 16:15 records King Saul's servants observing his tormented state and offering a diagnosis: a distressing or "evil" spirit, originating from God, was afflicting him. They perceived his distress as a direct divine intervention or permission, identifying it as the cause of his agitated and troubled mind. This statement reveals the understanding of those around Saul regarding his altered condition and their theological framework for explaining it.
1 Samuel 16 15 Context
This verse appears directly after God has withdrawn His Spirit from Saul and allowed a distressing spirit to torment him (1 Sam 16:14). It marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, illustrating the dramatic shift in divine favor from Saul to David. Saul, once anointed by God, has become disobedient and rejected as king, resulting in divine judgment manifesting as a deep psychological and spiritual affliction. Historically, this occurs during a period of transition in Israel's monarchy, where the people's first human king, chosen for his appearance and popular appeal, fails, paving the way for God's true choice, David. The servants' statement sets the stage for David's introduction, as they suggest finding someone skilled in playing the lyre to soothe Saul, an indirect providential leading for David's entry into the king's service.
1 Samuel 16 15 Word analysis
- Saul's servants:
עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל(‘avdei Sha'ul). These individuals were close to the king, privy to his innermost life, indicating an intimate knowledge of his condition. Their observation is personal and immediate. - said to him: Direct, urgent counsel. It signifies their concern for the king and their attempt to provide a solution.
- Behold:
הִנֵּה(hinnêh). This Hebrew interjection draws immediate attention, similar to "Look!" or "Indeed!". It emphasizes the gravity and clarity of their observation. - a distressing spirit:
רוּחַ רָעָה(ruach ra'ah).רוּחַ(ruach): Can mean "wind," "breath," or "spirit." In this context, it refers to an animating or influential spiritual force.רָעָה(ra'ah): Means "evil," "bad," "calamitous," "afflicting," "distressing." It describes the nature of the spirit's influence, causing harm and inner turmoil. It’s important to note this isn't necessarily equivalent to a New Testament "demon" but an agent causing distress.
- from God:
מֵאֵלֹהִים(me'Elohim). This is a crucial theological point.מֵאֵלֹהִים(from Elohim) signifies divine origin or permission. The servants explicitly link the distressing spirit to God, attributing ultimate sovereignty to Him. This indicates a monotheistic worldview where even seemingly malevolent forces operate under God's control, contrasting with dualistic or polytheistic ideas where evil powers might exist independently. It underscores that this affliction is a form of divine judgment or discipline upon Saul for his disobedience. - is troubling you:
מְבַהֶלְךָ(mevahalkha). From the rootבָּהַל(bahal), meaning "to be disturbed," "to be terrified," "to dismay," "to hasten in confusion." This word vividly describes Saul's agitation, inner turmoil, panic, and distress, suggesting not just passive annoyance but an active and severe torment.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "a distressing spirit from God": This phrase encapsulates the theological understanding of the servants. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty, where even destructive or distressing influences serve His purposes. It's not God Himself who is evil, but He employs or permits a spirit that brings distress as an instrument of His divine will, specifically His judgment against Saul’s rejection. This divine sending or permitting stands in direct contrast to Saul's loss of the "Spirit of the LORD" mentioned in the preceding verse (1 Sam 16:14). It shows a divinely orchestrated consequence.
1 Samuel 16 15 Bonus section
The concept of ruach ra'ah me'Elohim in 1 Samuel is crucial for understanding God's active involvement in human affairs, even through instruments that bring suffering. It signifies that God is not just the source of blessings, but also the dispenser of justice and consequences for disobedience. This spirit should not be conflated precisely with New Testament concepts of demon possession, though it shares commonalities in causing affliction. Rather, it appears to be a specific spiritual entity or divine allowance sent by God to achieve a particular purpose—in this case, tormenting Saul as a consequence of His Spirit departing from him. The language implies an agency, though fully subordinate to God's will. It’s an aspect of biblical theology affirming that nothing, including distress or affliction, is outside God's ultimate plan and control.
1 Samuel 16 15 Commentary
1 Samuel 16:15 offers a profound glimpse into the understanding of divine judgment and sovereignty in ancient Israel. Saul's servants, having observed his erratic and agitated behavior, articulate a spiritual diagnosis: the king is afflicted by a "distressing spirit" sent or permitted by God. This condition is not portrayed as mere psychological turmoil, though it likely manifested as such, but as a direct consequence of God's rejection of Saul due to his disobedience (cf. 1 Sam 15). The explicit attribution "from God" (me'Elohim) underscores the Israelite belief in God's ultimate control over all spiritual forces, good or "evil," asserting His omnipotence even in bringing about distress as a form of divine discipline or judgment. This challenges any notion of an independent malevolent force acting outside God's purview. The proposed remedy – finding someone skilled in playing the lyre – hints at the therapeutic power of music and foreshadows the providential introduction of David, who possessed both musical talent and a spirit acceptable to God.