And 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.

1 SAMUEL 19:9KJV
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1 Samuel 19:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 19:9 mean?

1 Samuel 19:9 describes a moment when Saul is troubled by an "evil spirit from the LORD" while sitting in his house with a javelin in his hand, and David is playing music for him. The verse shows Saul in a tense and dangerous mood, with David nearby trying to soothe him.

In this scene, Saul is the king of Israel, and David is serving him by playing music, as he often did when Saul was distressed. The "evil spirit from the LORD" phrase reflects the ancient belief that God allowed troubling influences to come upon Saul. The detail about Saul holding a javelin hints at the threat David faces, setting up the tension that follows in the story.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 19:9

  • "evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word means "bad" or "harmful" and is often used for things that bring distress or trouble. Here, it describes the nature of the spirit affecting Saul, emphasizing his inner turmoil.
  • "spirit" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word can mean "spirit," "wind," or "breath." In this context, it refers to a troubling influence or mood that overwhelms Saul, not a physical being.
  • "played" (נָגַן, nagan): This verb means "to play music." David's role is to play an instrument, likely a lyre or harp, to calm Saul, showing David's service and the hope that music might ease Saul's distress.

Why 1 Samuel 19:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Saul's hostility toward David is not just personal jealousy but is connected to a deeper spiritual and emotional struggle described as an "evil spirit from the LORD."
  • The mention of Saul holding a javelin while David plays music highlights the danger David is in, even while performing a peaceful act.
  • This verse connects to the larger story of Saul's decline and David's rise, showing the tension and danger that will soon lead to Saul trying to harm David directly.

Where else these words appear

“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 16:23 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.
  • Psalms 68:25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

“javelin” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.