Skip to reading
Atomic Bible
1 Samuel 16:17
And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”
from David Serves Saul, 1 Samuel 16:14-23
What it says

Saul orders his servants to find such a musician and bring him to court.

What it is doing

It sets the search in motion.

In context

14Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. 15Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.” 17And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.” 18One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. 21When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” 23And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.