Dictionary Article

The ability to expel or control demons was claimed by many in the ancient Near East. Aside from the miracles of Jesus recorded in the Gospels, only in Acts 19:13 (RV · LV · Read together) is there a biblical reference to exorcism among the Jews. However in 1 Samuel 16:14-23 (RV · LV · Read together) David functioned as an exorcist by playing a lyre to cast out an evil spirit from Saul.

SA1 16:14–23: RV SA1 16:14–23 · LV SA1 16:14–23 · Read together SA1 16:14–23

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OET-RV SA1 16:14

14 Meanwhile, Yahweh’s spirit left Sha’ul (Saul), and instead an evil spirit from Yahweh tormented him,

OET-RV SA1 16:15

15 and his servants told him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.

OET-RV SA1 16:16

16 Let our master please get your servants to find a man who knows how to play the harp. Then, whenever the evil spirit from God is on you, then he’ll play it and it’ll be good for you.”

OET-RV SA1 16:17

17 “Okay,” Sha’ul responded, “Find a man for me who’s good at playing it, and bring him to me.”

OET-RV SA1 16:18

18 Then one of his servants spoke up, “Listen, I’ve noticed one of the sons of Yishay (Jesse) in Beyt-Lehem (Bethlehem) who knows how to play. He’s also a very powerful warrior, as well as being good looking and wise in what he says. And Yahweh is with him.”

OET-RV SA1 16:19

19 So Sha’ul sent messengers to Yishay to tell him, “Your son David who looks after your flock, send him to me.”

OET-RV SA1 16:20

20 So Yishay loaded a donkey with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them to King Sha’ul with his son David.

OET-RV SA1 16:21

21 When David got to the king, he became his servant, and he was liked so much that he was appointed as the one who carried the king’s equipment.

OET-RV SA1 16:22

22 Sha’ul sent a message back to Yishay, saying, “Let David remain in my service, because I really like him.”

OET-RV SA1 16:23

23 Then whenever the spirit from God tormented Sha’ul, David would take the harp and play it. That would bring relief to Sha’ul and make him feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

OET-LV SA1 16:14

14 And_spirit of_YHWH it _departed from_with Shāʼūl/(Saul) and_it_terrified _him a _spirit evil from_with YHWH.

OET-LV SA1 16:15

15 And_ the _servants _of Shāʼūl _they _said to_him/it HERE please a _spirit _of god evil is_terrifying _of_you.

OET-LV SA1 16:16

16 Let _him _say please master _of_our your_servants to_your_face let _them _seek a _person who_knows playing on_harp and_it _was when_is on_you a _spirit _of god evil and_he _will _play in_his/its_hand and_good to/for_you(fs).

OET-LV SA1 16:17

17 And_ Shāʼūl _he/it _said to servants _of_his see please to_me a _person who_does _well to_play and_you(pl)_will _bring_him to_me.

OET-LV SA1 16:18

18 And_ one of_the _young_men _he _answered and_he/it _said HERE I _have _seen a _son of_Yishay/(Jesse) the _Bēyt- lehemite who_knows to _play and_a _mighty_man_of strength and_a _man _of war and_one_discerning _of message and_a _man _of form and_YHWH with_him/it.

OET-LV SA1 16:19

19 And_ Shāʼūl _he _sent messengers to Yishay and_he/it _said send to_me DOM Dāvid son _of_your who is_with_flock.

OET-LV SA1 16:20

20 And_ Yishay _he/it _took a _donkey bread and_a _skin-bottle _of wine and_a _kid _of goats one and_he _sent_them by_the _hand _of Dāvid his/its_son to Shāʼūl/(Saul).

OET-LV SA1 16:21

21 And_ Dāvid _he _came to Shāʼūl and_he _stood before_him and_he_loved _him exceedingly and_he/it _was to_him/it a _bearer _of armour(s).

OET-LV SA1 16:22

22 And_ Shāʼūl _he _sent to Yishay to_say let _him _stand please Dāvid to/for_my_face/front if/because he _has _found favour in_eyes _of_my.

OET-LV SA1 16:23

23 And_it _was when_ a _spirit _of god _was to Shāʼūl and_ Dāvid _he/it _will _take DOM the_harp and_he _played_it in_his/its_hand and_it _was _relief to_Shāʼūl and_good to_him/it and_it _departed from_on_him the _spirit _of (the)_evil.

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary