1 Samuel 16:23 (GNV)

Passage

And so when the euil spirite of God came vpon Saul, Dauid tooke an harpe and plaied with his hande, and Saul was refreshed, and was eased: for the euill spirit departed from him.

Nearby Context

1 Samuel 16:21 And Dauid came to Saul, and stoode before him: and he loued him verie well, and he was his armour bearer.

1 Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Ishai, saying, Let Dauid nowe remaine with me: for he hath found fauour in my sight.

1 Samuel 16:23 And so when the euil spirite of God came vpon Saul, Dauid tooke an harpe and plaied with his hande, and Saul was refreshed, and was eased: for the euill spirit departed from him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "euil", "spirite", "came", "vpon", "saul", "dauid", and "tooke". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "euil", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "And Saul sent to Ishai saying Let...", giving immediate footing for "Spirit" and "euil". In 1 Samuel context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "euil" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.