1 Samuel 18:10

8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

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.

11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear,
KJV
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.
WEB
On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;
ASV
And it came to pass on the morrow, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Saul had his spear in his hand;
DARBY
And it came to pass the next day that an evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house, but David played with his hand, as on other days; and the spear was in Saul's hand.
BLB
And it came to pass on the next day, that a spirit of distress [from] God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house, and David played by his hand, day by day, and a spear [was] in the hand of Saul.
ÅB
Dagen etter kom det en ond ånd fra Gud over Saul, og han raste inne i sitt hus, mens David spilte på harpen, som han pleide å gjøre hver dag, og Saul hadde et spyd i hånden.
OTB
Dagen etter kom en ond ånd fra Gud kraftig over Saul, og han raste i huset, mens David spilte harpe med hånden, som vanlig. Og Saul hadde et spyd i hånden.
B1930
Dagen efter kom det en ond ånd fra Gud over Saul, og han raste inne i sitt hus, mens David spilte på harpen, som han pleide å gjøre hver dag, og Saul hadde et spyd i hånden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:11

    And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 18:29

    And 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.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Acts 16:16

    And 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:

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 16:14–16

    But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 22:20–23

    And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 28:11

    And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

    Read in context