1 Samuel 16:23
Meaning, cross-references, and a prayer for 1 Samuel 16:23 — by Collins Asein
Quick Summary
1 Samuel 16:23 is a verse from the book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. The KJV reads: "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 ..." Below you will find the full verse text, cross-references, meaning, and a prayer based on this scripture.
1 Samuel 16:23 — KJV
“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 16:23 (KJV)
1 Samuel 16:23 in Context — About the Book of 1 Samuel
1 Samuel traces Israel's shift from judges to kings through three lives: Samuel the prophet, Saul the rejected king, and David the shepherd anointed in secret. It is rich with prayer — Hannah's desperate plea for a child opens the book and becomes a template for praying through tears.
Cross-References for 1 Samuel 16:23
“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.”
Shares key themes with 1 Samuel 16:23: came, pass, evil
“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.”
Shares key themes with 1 Samuel 16:23: pass, evil, spirit
“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.”
Shares key themes with 1 Samuel 16:23: evil, spirit, saul
“And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. Methegammah: or, the bridle of Ammah”
Shares key themes with 1 Samuel 16:23: came, pass, david
“And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.”
Shares key themes with 1 Samuel 16:23: came, pass, david
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