14 And the Spirit of Jehovah turned aside from Saul, and a spirit of sadness from Jehovah terrified him; 15 and the servants of Saul say unto him, 'Lo, we pray thee, a spirit of sadness 'from' God is terrifying thee; 16 let our lord command, we pray thee, thy servants before thee, they seek a skilful man, playing on a harp, and it hath come to pass, in the spirit of sadness 'from' God being upon thee, that he hath played with his hand, and 'it is' well with thee.' 17 And Saul saith unto his servants, 'Provide, I pray you, for me a man playing well—then ye have brought 'him' in unto me.' 18 And one of the servants answereth and saith, 'Lo, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-Lehemite, skilful in playing, and a mighty virtuous man, and a man of battle, and intelligent in word, and a man of form, and Jehovah 'is' with him.' 19 And Saul sendeth messengers unto Jesse, and saith, 'Send unto me David thy son, who 'is' with the flock.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:14-19
Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:14-23
(Read 1 Samuel 16:14-23)
Saul is made a terror to himself. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. If God and his grace do not rule us, sin and Satan will have possession of us. The devil, by the Divine permission, troubled and terrified Saul, by the corrupt humours of his body, and passions of his mind. He grew fretful, peevish, and discontented, and at times a madman. It is a pity that music, which may be serviceable to the good temper of the mind, should ever be abused, to support vanity and luxury, and made an occasion of drawing the heart from God and serious things. That is driving away the good Spirit, not the evil spirit. Music, diversions, company, or business, have for a time often been employed to quiet the wounded conscience; but nothing can effect a real cure but the blood of Christ, applied in faith, and the sanctifying Spirit sealing the pardon, by his holy comforts. All other plans to dispel religious melancholy are sure to add to distress, either in this world or the next.