1 Samuel 16:17 kjv
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
1 Samuel 16:17 nkjv
So Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."
1 Samuel 16:17 niv
So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
1 Samuel 16:17 esv
So Saul said to his servants, "Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me."
1 Samuel 16:17 nlt
"All right," Saul said. "Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here."
1 Samuel 16 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 16:1 | But the Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul... I have provided Myself a king among his sons." | God's sovereign choice of David before this event. |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers... And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. | David's divine anointing and empowering by God's Spirit. |
| 1 Sam 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. | Saul's spiritual decline and the divine permission for his distress. |
| 1 Sam 16:15 | And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you." | Recognition of Saul's condition and the servant's counsel. |
| 1 Sam 16:16 | "Let our lord now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre; and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well." | Servants' specific recommendation leading to verse 17. |
| 1 Sam 16:18 | One of the young men answered, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing..." | Immediate identification of David by one of the servants. |
| 1 Sam 17:34-37 | David explains his shepherding and protecting his flock, preparing him for larger responsibilities. | God's prior training for David, preparing him for kingship. |
| 1 Sam 18:1-2 | When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him... Saul took him that day and would not let him return. | David's permanent entrance into Saul's service. |
| 1 Sam 18:12 | Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. | The underlying spiritual reason for Saul's later animosity towards David. |
| 2 Ki 3:15 | "But now bring me a musician." And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. | Example of music being used to quiet a spirit or invite divine presence for prophecy. |
| Gen 4:21 | "His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the lyre and pipe." | The early origin of music as part of human culture. |
| Ps 33:2-3 | "Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to Him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to Him a new song..." | Music used in worship and praise, emphasizing its sacred dimension. |
| Ps 42:5 | "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God..." | David's own understanding of spiritual and emotional turmoil and seeking God as the ultimate source of solace. |
| Col 3:16 | "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." | The Christian use of music for spiritual well-being and instruction. |
| Eph 5:19 | "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." | Music as a means of spiritual expression and mutual encouragement among believers. |
| Job 23:3-4 | "Oh that I knew where I might find him... I would lay my case before him..." | Man's deep distress seeking solace or understanding, highlighting that true relief comes from God. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God... will guard your hearts and your minds..." | Ultimate antidote to spiritual and emotional distress is found in prayer and God's peace. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." | God's sovereignty working through human circumstances and decisions, even Saul's distress. |
| Ps 147:7 | "Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!" | The power of music directed towards God for healing and praise. |
| Is 30:29 | "You shall have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept, and gladness of heart, as when one sets out to the sound of the flute..." | The use of music to bring joy and spiritual significance. |
| Prov 20:18 | "Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war." | Highlights the wisdom of Saul in seeking counsel from his servants (even if from fear). |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." | Counterpoint to Saul's worldly pursuit of relief, advocating seeking God directly. |
1 Samuel 16 verses
1 Samuel 16 17 Meaning
In 1 Samuel 16:17, King Saul, distressed by an oppressive spirit, issues a direct command to his attendants. He instructs them to urgently seek out and present to him a highly skilled musician. This directive sets in motion the providential unfolding of God's plan, bringing David, the divinely chosen king, into the royal court and before Saul himself, preparing for his future leadership.
1 Samuel 16 17 Context
Chapter 16 marks a pivotal transition in the narrative of Israel's monarchy. Previously, in chapters 13-15, Saul was rejected as king due to his disobedience to God's commands. God then directed Samuel to anoint David, a humble shepherd boy, as the next king (1 Sam 16:1-13). Following David's anointing, the Spirit of the Lord powerfully came upon him, while conversely, the Spirit departed from Saul, and a troubling "harmful spirit from the Lord" tormented him (1 Sam 16:14). This affliction rendered Saul psychologically and perhaps physically unwell. In their attempt to alleviate the king's distress, his servants advised him to seek a skillful musician whose playing could soothe his spirit (1 Sam 16:15-16). Verse 17 is Saul's immediate response and command, setting the stage for David's introduction into the royal court, not as a king-in-waiting, but as a young man gifted with musical ability, providentially paving his way into Saul's inner circle. This also illustrates the decline of Saul and his dependence on earthly means rather than seeking the Lord for deliverance from his affliction.
1 Samuel 16 17 Word analysis
So: (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyo'mer). Connective linking Saul's decision directly to his servants' suggestion. It indicates a swift and direct response, showing his immediate assent and the urgency of his need.
Saul: (שָׁאוּל - Sha'ul). The king of Israel, who, despite his royal position, is in great distress. This highlights the vanity of human power apart from God's favor.
said: (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyo'mer). A common Hebrew verb, here indicating a command or authoritative utterance by the king to his subordinates.
to his servants: (אֶל-עֲבָדָיו - 'el 'avadayv). His attendants, those in his retinue responsible for serving him and fulfilling his commands. Their role here is crucial as they provide the counsel that ultimately leads to David.
"Provide: (רְאוּ-נָא - r'u-na'). Literally, "See now," or "Look now for me." It is an imperative, indicating an urgent demand or request. It implies searching, finding, and securing.
for me now: (לִי - li, "for me"; נָא - na', particle of entreaty/urgency). Emphasizes the personal nature of the king's need and the immediate requirement.
a man: (אִישׁ - 'ish). A general term for a male person, here specifying the gender of the individual to be found.
who can play well: (יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן - yode'a naggen). Lit. "knowing to play [a stringed instrument]." The word naggen typically refers to playing the kinnor (lyre/harp), a stringed instrument known for its soothing sound. This points to the specific skill required—not just any musician, but one proficient enough to alleviate intense spiritual/psychological distress. This "knowing" implies an established, recognized skill, not merely a casual ability.
and bring him: (וַהֲבֵאֹתֶם - vahavi'otem). Imperative, demanding the immediate transportation of the found individual. It is an instruction for direct action.
to me:" (אֵלָי - 'elay). Again, emphasizing the direct interaction with the king and his personal need for the musician's services.
Words-group analysis:
- "So Saul said to his servants,": Establishes the authoritative yet distressed tone of the king addressing his retinue. It immediately highlights the power dynamics of the court but also Saul's reliance on others for a solution.
- "Provide for me now a man who can play well": This phrase encapsulates Saul's urgent personal need and his chosen method of relief. It is a specific instruction reflecting a hope that external means, music, can alleviate an internal, spiritual affliction. This highlights Saul's worldly approach to his spiritual malady.
- "and bring him to me.": The definitive and final part of the command, demanding direct and immediate action, indicating the severity of Saul's condition and his desperation for relief.
1 Samuel 16 17 Bonus section
- This verse highlights a stark contrast between divine selection and human suffering. Just as David is filled with the Spirit, Saul is tormented, necessitating David's eventual appearance in court.
- The nature of the "harmful spirit from the Lord" is critical background. It is not that God causes evil, but He permits or sends (in a permissive sense) such spirits as a form of divine judgment for disobedience, showcasing His ultimate authority over all realms, visible and invisible.
- Saul's resort to music reflects an ancient belief in its therapeutic, soothing, and even spiritual power. This was a common cultural practice for mental and emotional relief, demonstrating the Bible's historical accuracy in portraying these aspects of ancient life.
- The events set in motion by this verse directly fulfill God's unseen plan for Israel's future, illustrating how seemingly minor actions can have profound, long-term consequences in God's providence.
1 Samuel 16 17 Commentary
1 Samuel 16:17 is a pivotal command demonstrating God's sovereign control over seemingly secular events to advance His divine purpose. Saul, under duress from a tormenting spirit allowed by God, seeks solace through human skill – specifically, music. His directive to "provide... a man who can play well" seems like a simple, logical response to his immediate pain. However, it is precisely this request that serves as the gateway for David, God's chosen king, to enter the royal court. This marks the beginning of David's transition from an anonymous shepherd to a national figure, subtly preparing him for the throne through direct exposure to court life and interaction with Saul. The irony is that Saul seeks relief from his spiritual agony and inadvertently invites his divine successor into his most intimate space. The passage showcases that God's plan unfolds even through the actions of individuals unaware of their role in His greater narrative. It's a reminder that even human needs and suggested solutions can become instruments in the hand of a sovereign God.