1 Samuel 19:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּהִי֩
H1961
וַתְּהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ר֨וּחַ
spirit
H7307
ר֨וּחַ
spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
2 of 14
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
יְהוָ֤ה׀
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה׀
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׁא֔וּל
was upon Saul
H7586
שָׁא֔וּל
was upon Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
6 of 14
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
וְהוּא֙
H1931
וְהוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
בְּבֵית֣וֹ
in his house
H1004
בְּבֵית֣וֹ
in his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יוֹשֵׁ֔ב
as he sat
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֔ב
as he sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וַֽחֲנִית֖וֹ
with his javelin
H2595
וַֽחֲנִית֖וֹ
with his javelin
Strong's:
H2595
Word #:
10 of 14
a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
בְּיָֽד׃
in his hand
H3027
בְּיָֽד׃
in his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 14
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
Cross References
1 Samuel 16:14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.1 Samuel 16:16Let 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.
Historical Context
Royal javelins served both as weapons and symbols of authority. Saul's constant possession of the javelin suggests both paranoid readiness and status assertion. David's continued service despite previous attacks shows remarkable commitment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you continue ministry when those you serve harbor ill intentions?
- What does Saul's unchanged condition despite David's healing ministry teach about hardened hearts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
The evil spirit's return during David's music ministry parallels 16:23, showing Saul's unchanged condition. The detail that Saul 'sat in his house with his javelin in his hand' combines domesticity with menace. Even as David faithfully served, Saul clutched his weapon of murder. The contrast between David's ministry posture and Saul's violent readiness illustrates service amidst danger.