David Plays for Saul

1 Samuel 16:14-23

Bible Stories

1 Samuel 16:14 But the Spirit of the Lord withdrew from Saul, and a wicked spirit from the Lord disturbed him.

1 Samuel 16:15 And the servants of Saul said to him: “Behold, an evil spirit from God disturbs you.

1 Samuel 16:16 May our lord order, and your servants, who are before you, will seek a man skillful in playing a stringed instrument, so that when the evil spirit from the Lord assails you, he may play with his hand, and you may bear it more easily.”

1 Samuel 16:17 And Saul said to his servants, “Then provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.”

1 Samuel 16:18 And one of the servants, responding, said: “Behold, I have seen the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, a skillful player, and very strong and robust, a man fit for war, and prudent in words, a handsome man. And the Lord is with him.”

1 Samuel 16:19 Therefore, Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send to me your son David, who is in the pastures.”

1 Samuel 16:20 And so, Jesse took a donkey laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid from one of the goats, and he sent them, by the hand of his son David, to Saul.

1 Samuel 16:21 And David went to Saul, and stood before him. And he loved him exceedingly, and he made him his armor bearer.

1 Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying: “Let David remain before my sight. For he has found favor in my eyes.”

1 Samuel 16:23 And so, whenever the evil spirit from the Lord assailed Saul, David took up his stringed instrument, and he struck it with his hand, and Saul was refreshed and uplifted. For the evil spirit withdrew from him.