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.

1 SAMUEL 16:23KJV
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1 Samuel 16:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 16:23 mean?

1 Samuel 16:23 describes how, whenever an evil spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp for him, which brought Saul relief and caused the evil spirit to leave. The verse shows that David’s music had a calming effect on Saul’s troubled mind.

In this scene, Saul is the king of Israel who is being tormented by an "evil spirit from God," and David, a young shepherd, is brought in to play music for him. The verse highlights the power of music to soothe distress and introduces David as someone who brings peace to Saul, setting the stage for their future relationship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 16:23

  • "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word can mean wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it refers to a troubling presence affecting Saul’s emotions or mental state.
  • "evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word means bad, harmful, or distressing. The verse describes the spirit as causing harm or distress to Saul, not necessarily moral evil.
  • "refreshed" (רָוַח, ravach): This word means to be relieved or to feel at ease. David’s playing brings Saul relief from his suffering.
  • "departed" (סוּר, sur): This word means to turn aside or leave. The troubling spirit leaves Saul when David plays, emphasizing the effect of David’s music.

Why 1 Samuel 16:23 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the "evil spirit" is not necessarily a demon but a troubling influence allowed by God, which causes Saul emotional or mental distress.
  • 1 Samuel 16:23 introduces David as a source of comfort and healing, foreshadowing his future importance in Israel’s history and his complex relationship with Saul.
  • The verse shows the practical and emotional impact of music in ancient Israel, demonstrating that even a king could be soothed by the skillful playing of a harp.

Where else these words appear

“refreshed” Hebrew H7304 · used in 3 verses

  • Job 32:20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
  • Jeremiah 22:14 That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

“played” Hebrew H5059 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Samuel 16:16 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.
  • 1 Samuel 18:10 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.
  • Psalms 68:25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

“well” Hebrew H2895 · used in 33 verses

  • Numbers 10:29 And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.
  • 1 Kings 8:18 And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
  • Job 10:3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

“harp” Hebrew H3658 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
  • Psalms 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.