1 Samuel 16:14

14 But the Lord's Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

1 Samuel 16:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 16:14

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul
As a spirit of prophecy as at first, as a spirit of wisdom and prudence in civil government, and as a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum:

and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him;
the reverse of the former, which by the permission of God, and as a punishment to him for his sins, came upon him; he seemed to be a demoniac, as Josephus represents ^F9 him, as if possessed with the devil; by whom he was almost suffocated and strangled, as well as was distracted in his counsels, and became weak and foolish; lost all courage and greatness of mind, was timorous and fearful, and alarmed by everything, and was full of envy, suspicion, rage, and despair.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 8. sect. 2.

1 Samuel 16:14 In-Context

12 So Jesse sent and had his youngest son brought in. He was a fine boy, tanned, and handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, "Go, appoint him, because he is the one."

13 So Samuel took the container of olive oil and poured it on Jesse's youngest son to appoint him in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Lord's Spirit worked in David. Samuel then went back to Ramah.

14 But the Lord's Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

15 Saul's servants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.

16 Give us the command to look for someone who can play the harp. When the evil spirit from God troubles you, he will play, and you will feel better."