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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
H4283
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת
And it came to pass on the morrow
Strong's:
H4283
Word #:
2 of 19
the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow
וַתִּצְלַ֣ח
came
H6743
וַתִּצְלַ֣ח
came
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
3 of 19
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
רוּחַ֩
spirit
H7307
רוּחַ֩
spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
4 of 19
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
אֱלֹהִ֨ים׀
from God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֨ים׀
from God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
שָׁאֽוּל׃
in Saul's
H7586
שָׁאֽוּל׃
in Saul's
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
8 of 19
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֣א
and he prophesied
H5012
וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֣א
and he prophesied
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
9 of 19
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
בְתוֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְתוֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
10 of 19
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
H1004
הַבַּ֔יִת
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מְנַגֵּ֥ן
played
H5059
מְנַגֵּ֥ן
played
Strong's:
H5059
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, to thrum, i.e., beat a tune with the fingers; expectation. to play on a stringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music
בְּיַד
hand
H3027
בְּיַד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בְּי֑וֹם
as at other times
H3117
בְּי֑וֹם
as at other times
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בְּי֑וֹם
as at other times
H3117
בְּי֑וֹם
as at other times
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וְהַֽחֲנִ֖ית
and there was a javelin
H2595
וְהַֽחֲנִ֖ית
and there was a javelin
Strong's:
H2595
Word #:
17 of 19
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
Cross References
1 Kings 18:29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.1 Samuel 19:9And 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.2 Thessalonians 2:11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:Acts 16:16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:1 Samuel 16:23And 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.
Historical Context
The Hebrew verb for 'prophesy' covers a range of ecstatic behavior, from genuine Spirit-inspired utterance to frenzied ranting. Saul's episodes may have resembled what surrounding cultures attributed to demonic possession. The javelin was both weapon and symbol of royal authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you continue faithful service when those you serve respond with hostility?
- What does the coexistence of David's ministry and Saul's malice teach about persevering through opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
The evil spirit's return 'on the morrow' suggests immediate consequence of Saul's jealous response. His prophesying (yithnabe) in this context indicates uncontrolled, frenzied utterance - possibly ravings associated with his tormented state. David's faithful music ministry continued despite the toxic environment. The jarring image of Saul with javelin in hand while David played reveals the tension between David's service and Saul's murderous intent.