Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Samuel 16:23

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
And 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.
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

1 selected · 9 available

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

End of chapter

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

4 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 23

  1. 1 Samuel 16:14–16Rank 1 from verse 23
    Open

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

  2. 1 Samuel 18:10–11Rank 2 from verse 23
    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.

    11And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

  3. Luke 11:24–26Rank 3 from verse 23
    Open

    24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

    25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

    26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

  4. Matthew 12:43–45Rank 4 from verse 23
    Open

    43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

    44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

    45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Samuel 16:23

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

harp

↗

A stringed musical instrument played with the fingers.

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

COMBINED MEANING

played

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival 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 · Webster 1828

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

refreshed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of refresh, meaning to renew strength, relieve fatigue, revive, cheer, or enliven.

Meaning drawn from: 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

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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

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.

Selected passage

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.