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1 Samuel 16:15
ESV And Saul 's servants said to him, "Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you.
NIV Saul’s attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
NASB Saul’s servants then said to him, 'Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrifying you.
CSB so Saul’s servants said to him, "You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
NLT Some of Saul’s servants said to him, 'A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you.
KJV And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
NKJV And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.

What does 1 Samuel 16:15 mean?

The Lord has sent His Spirit on Israel's next king, David, and has removed His Spirit from Israel's current king, Saul. In exchange, the Lord has sent a harmful spirit to torment Saul (1 Samuel 16:13–14). Most commentators agree this was a demon permitted by God to do its evil, afflicting work in the life of Saul. Saul, for his part, could have repented and turned back to the Lord but did not.

Those closest to Saul recognize the presence of this harmful spirit in his life. It is interesting that they recognize the spirit is "from God." In some way, the tormenting spirit sent by the Lord is causing obvious and noticeable distress for the king.
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