Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Samuel 16:14–18

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.
And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an 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.
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

5 selected · 5 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 14

  1. Psalms 51:11Rank 1 from verse 14
    Open

    11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

  2. 1 Samuel 18:12Rank 2 from verse 14
    Open

    12¶ And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.

  3. Judges 9:23Rank 3 from verse 14
    Open

    23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

  4. 1 Samuel 18:10Rank 4 from verse 14
    Open

    10¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

  5. 1 Samuel 28:15Rank 5 from verse 14
    Open

    15¶ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

From verse 16

  1. 2 Kings 3:15Rank 1 from verse 16
    Open

    15But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.

  2. 1 Kings 10:8Rank 2 from verse 16
    Open

    8Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

  3. 1 Samuel 16:21–23Rank 3 from verse 16
    Open

    21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

    22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

    23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

  4. 1 Samuel 18:10Rank 4 from verse 16
    Open

    10¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

  5. 1 Samuel 19:9Rank 5 from verse 16
    Open

    9And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

From verse 18

  1. 1 Samuel 3:19Rank 1 from verse 18
    Open

    19¶ And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

  2. Genesis 39:23Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.

  3. 1 Samuel 17:32–36Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    32¶ And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

    33And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

    34And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

    35And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

    36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

  4. Genesis 39:2Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    2And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

  5. 1 Samuel 10:7Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    7And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Samuel 16:14

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

departed

↗

1. Left, went away, or moved from a place or person. 2. Ceased to remain, was removed, disappeared, or passed away. 3. Turned or separated from a way, practice, allegiance, or relationship. 4. Left earthly life or this world.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

troubled

↗

Disturbed, agitated, alarmed, perplexed, afflicted, burdened, unsettled, or caused to suffer inward, bodily, social, or outward disruption.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Samuel 16:15

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Samuel 16:16

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

command

↗

Sense 1: To order or direct with authority. Sense 2: An authoritative order, charge, or commandment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cunning

↗

Skilful, expert, knowledgeable, ingenious, or artfully made in a craft, work, music, hunting, or another practice; where joined to deceit, subtly artful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

player

↗

One skilled in playing a musical instrument.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

harp

↗

A stringed musical instrument played with the fingers.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

pass

↗

To go by, through, over, or beyond; to happen, cease, or be transferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

play

↗

1. To engage in recreation, sport, contest, lively movement, or musical performance. 2. To act or conduct oneself in a stated role or manner.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

1 Samuel 16:17

COMBINED MEANING

provide

↗

To consider beforehand; to make provision or take thought for.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

play

↗

1. To engage in recreation, sport, contest, lively movement, or musical performance. 2. To act or conduct oneself in a stated role or manner.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Samuel 16:18

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cunning

↗

Skilful, expert, knowledgeable, ingenious, or artfully made in a craft, work, music, hunting, or another practice; where joined to deceit, subtly artful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

playing

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of play. Sense 1: To engage in recreation, sport, contest, lively movement, or musical performance. Sense 2: To act or conduct oneself in a stated role or manner.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mighty

↗

Possessing or displaying great strength, power, ability, rank, or effect.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

war

↗

Sense 1: Armed conflict. Sense 2: As a verb, to fight or contend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prudent

↗

Wise, discerning, thoughtful, circumspect, and careful in judgment or conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

comely

↗

1. Fair, beautiful, graceful, or pleasing in appearance. 2. Becoming, fitting, or proper.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

14¶ But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

Selected passage

15And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Selected passage

16Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an 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.

Selected passage

17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Selected passage

18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

Selected passage

19¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.