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1 Samuel 16:16
ESV Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well."
NIV Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better."
NASB May our lord now command your servants who are before you. Have them search for a man who is a skillful musician on the harp; and it shall come about whenever the evil spirit from God is upon you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will become well.'
CSB Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better."
NLT Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.'
KJV Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
NKJV Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”

What does 1 Samuel 16:16 mean?

Due to his disobedience, God rejected Saul from being Israel's king (1 Samuel 13:11–14; 15:17–29), though he will retain the throne for at least ten more years. Samuel has anointed David to be Israel's next king (1 Samuel 16:1–13). God has removed His Spirit from Saul and allowed an evil spirit to torment him. Saul's servants recognize the torment of the evil spirit and want to help.

They suggest to the king that music will be soothing whenever the evil spirit comes. This suggests that a demon did not fully possess Saul. Rather, he is spiritually vulnerable as a result of his rebellious attitude towards God. Thus, advisors permission to find someone who is a highly skilled player of the stringed instrument known as the lyre. To modern eyes, a lyre would look like a small harp.
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