Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 20th, 2025
the Third Week of Advent
the Third Week of Advent
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Read the Bible
Easy-to-Read Version
1 Samuel 16:15
Saul's servants said to him, "An evil spirit from God is bothering you.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
so Saul’s servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
so Saul’s servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
Hebrew Names Version
Sha'ul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
Sha'ul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
King James Version
And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Lexham English Bible
So the servants of Saul said to him, "Look please, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
So the servants of Saul said to him, "Look please, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
English Standard Version
And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
New Century Version
Saul's servants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.
Saul's servants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.
New English Translation
Then Saul's servants said to him, "Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!"
Then Saul's servants said to him, "Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!"
Amplified Bible
Saul's servants said to him, "Behold, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
Saul's servants said to him, "Behold, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
New American Standard Bible
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Sauls seruants said vnto him, Beholde nowe, the euill spirite of God vexeth thee.
And Sauls seruants said vnto him, Beholde nowe, the euill spirite of God vexeth thee.
Legacy Standard Bible
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.
Contemporary English Version
"It's an evil spirit from God that's frightening you," Saul's officials told him.
"It's an evil spirit from God that's frightening you," Saul's officials told him.
Complete Jewish Bible
Sha'ul's servants said to him, "Do you notice that there's an evil spirit from God that suddenly comes over you?
Sha'ul's servants said to him, "Do you notice that there's an evil spirit from God that suddenly comes over you?
Darby Translation
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles thee.
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubles thee.
George Lamsa Translation
And Sauls servants said to him, Behold, your servants are before you;
And Sauls servants said to him, Behold, your servants are before you;
Good News Translation
His servants said to him, "We know that an evil spirit sent by God is tormenting you.
His servants said to him, "We know that an evil spirit sent by God is tormenting you.
Literal Translation
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold, now an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold, now an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then sayde Sauls seruauntes vnto him: Beholde, an euell sprete from God vexeth the.
Then sayde Sauls seruauntes vnto him: Beholde, an euell sprete from God vexeth the.
American Standard Version
And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Bible in Basic English
And Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.
And Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Sauls seruauntes said vnto him: Beholde, an euill spirite [sent] of God vexeth thee.
And Sauls seruauntes said vnto him: Beholde, an euill spirite [sent] of God vexeth thee.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And Saul's servants said unto him: 'Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifieth thee.
And Saul's servants said unto him: 'Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifieth thee.
King James Version (1611)
And Sauls seruants said vnto him, Behold now, an euill spirit from God troubleth thee.
And Sauls seruants said vnto him, Behold now, an euill spirit from God troubleth thee.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Saul’s servants said to him, Behold now, and evil spirit from the Lord torments thee.
And Saul’s servants said to him, Behold now, and evil spirit from the Lord torments thee.
English Revised Version
And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Berean Standard Bible
Saul's servants said to him, "Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.
Saul's servants said to him, "Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the seruauntis of Saul seiden to hym, Lo! an yuel spirit of the Lord traueilith thee;
And the seruauntis of Saul seiden to hym, Lo! an yuel spirit of the Lord traueilith thee;
Young's Literal Translation
and the servants of Saul say unto him, `Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness [from] God is terrifying thee;
and the servants of Saul say unto him, `Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness [from] God is terrifying thee;
Update Bible Version
And Saul's slaves said to him, Look now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
And Saul's slaves said to him, Look now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
And Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
World English Bible
Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
New King James Version
And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.
And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.
New Living Translation
Some of Saul's servants said to him, "A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you.
Some of Saul's servants said to him, "A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you.
New Life Bible
Saul's servants said to him, "See, a bad spirit from God is bringing you trouble.
Saul's servants said to him, "See, a bad spirit from God is bringing you trouble.
New Revised Standard
And Saul's servants said to him, "See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
And Saul's servants said to him, "See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said the servants of Saul unto him, - Lo! we pray thee, a sad superhuman spirit, doth terrify thee:
Then said the servants of Saul unto him, - Lo! we pray thee, a sad superhuman spirit, doth terrify thee:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the servants of Saul said to him: Behold now an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
And the servants of Saul said to him: Behold now an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Revised Standard Version
And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
THE MESSAGE
Saul's advisors said, "This awful tormenting depression from God is making your life miserable. O Master, let us help. Let us look for someone who can play the harp. When the black mood from God moves in, he'll play his music and you'll feel better."
Saul's advisors said, "This awful tormenting depression from God is making your life miserable. O Master, let us help. Let us look for someone who can play the harp. When the black mood from God moves in, he'll play his music and you'll feel better."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.
Saul's servants then said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you.
Contextual Overview
14 The Lord 's Spirit left Saul. Then the Lord sent an evil spirit to Saul that caused him much trouble. 15 Saul's servants said to him, "An evil spirit from God is bothering you. 16 Give us the command and we will look for someone who can play the harp. If the evil spirit from God comes on you, this person will play music for you. Then you will feel better." 17 So Saul said to his servants, "Find someone who plays music well and bring him to me." 18 One of the servants said, "There is a man named Jesse living in Bethlehem. I saw Jesse's son. He knows how to play the harp. He is also a brave man and fights well. He is smart and handsome, and the Lord is with him." 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse. They told Jesse, "You have a son named David. He takes care of your sheep. Send him to me." 20 So Jesse got some things as a gift for Saul. Jesse got a donkey, some bread and a leather bag full of wine, and a young goat. He gave them to David and sent him to Saul. 21 So David went to Saul and stood in front of him. Saul loved David very much. David became the helper who carried Saul's weapons. 22 Saul sent a message to Jesse. "Let David stay and serve me. I like him very much." 23 Any time the evil spirit from God came on Saul, David would take his harp and play it. The evil spirit would leave Saul and he would begin to feel better.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 16:1 - seeing 1 Samuel 18:10 - the evil spirit
Cross-References
Genesis 16:9
The angel of the Lord said to her, "Sarai is your owner. Go home to her and obey her."
The angel of the Lord said to her, "Sarai is your owner. Go home to her and obey her."
Genesis 16:11
Then the angel of the Lord said, "Hagar, you are now pregnant, and you will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard that you were treated badly.
Then the angel of the Lord said, "Hagar, you are now pregnant, and you will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard that you were treated badly.
Genesis 17:18
Then Abraham said to God, "I hope Ishmael will live and serve you."
Then Abraham said to God, "I hope Ishmael will live and serve you."
Genesis 17:20
"You mentioned Ishmael, and I heard you. I will bless him, and he will have many children. He will be the father of twelve great leaders. His family will become a great nation.
"You mentioned Ishmael, and I heard you. I will bless him, and he will have many children. He will be the father of twelve great leaders. His family will become a great nation.
Genesis 25:9
His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah. This cave is in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar. It was east of Mamre.
His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah. This cave is in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar. It was east of Mamre.
Genesis 25:12
This is the list of Ishmael's family. Ishmael was Abraham and Hagar's son. (Hagar was Sarah's Egyptian maid.)
This is the list of Ishmael's family. Ishmael was Abraham and Hagar's son. (Hagar was Sarah's Egyptian maid.)
Genesis 28:9
Esau already had two wives, but he went to Abraham's son Ishmael and married another woman, Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael. Mahalath was Nebaioth's sister.
Esau already had two wives, but he went to Abraham's son Ishmael and married another woman, Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael. Mahalath was Nebaioth's sister.
Genesis 37:27
We will profit more if we sell him to these traders. Then we will not be guilty of killing our own brother." The other brothers agreed.
We will profit more if we sell him to these traders. Then we will not be guilty of killing our own brother." The other brothers agreed.
1 Chronicles 1:28
Abraham's sons were Isaac and Ishmael.
Abraham's sons were Isaac and Ishmael.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And Saul's servants said unto him,.... His courtiers, who observing him to act in a frantic manner, to be dull and melancholy, timorous, and irresolute, unsteady, divided, and distressed; or his physicians, who were called in to assist him, and remove his disorder from him:
behold, now an evil spirit from God troubleth thee: the disorder was not from any natural cause, or any bodily disease, and therefore out of the reach of physicians to do any service, but was from an evil spirit suffered of God to harass and disturb him.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The “evil” or “melancholy” spirit here spoken of was “the Spirit of God,” or “of Jehovah,” as being God’s messenger and minister, sent by Him to execute His righteous purpose upon Saul (see 1 Kings 22:19-22 note).
