Study 23: 1 Samuel 16: 14-23: Trent Evans

This sermon on 1 Samuel 16 highlights the contrast between Saul and David, showing how both received the same Spirit and calling, yet Saul’s disobedience led to the Spirit’s departure and God’s discipline. The troubling spirit that afflicted Saul was ultimately used by God to bring David into the king’s court, setting the stage for God’s greater purposes. The message underscores God’s sovereignty over all things, even discipline, and calls believers to recognize that true relief and restoration come only through obedience to the Spirit and turning their eyes back to the Lord as the lasting solution

Sermon Outline

1. Setting the Stage (00:17–02:08)

• Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:10–13

• Context: David anointed by Samuel; Saul rejected for disobedience.

• Key Point: God’s discipline is always redemptive, redirecting us back to Him.

  
  

2. Equal Anointing, Different Responses (07:15–10:07)

• Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6 compared with 16:13.

• Both Saul and David received the Spirit’s anointing.

• Key Point: Saul failed not from lack of Spirit, but from disobedience.

  
  

3. The Spirit Departs from Saul (10:41–12:22)

• Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14.

• Spirit of the Lord leaves Saul; a troubling spirit comes.

• Application: It is possible to appear God-called while lacking God’s power.

  
  

4. Understanding the “Evil Spirit” (13:08–15:19)

• Word Study: Hebrew raʿ (“evil,” “troubling,” “grievous”).

• Possible interpretations: judgment angel, demonic oppression, or divine discipline.

• Key Point: Even evil spirits act under God’s sovereignty (Job, Mark 5).

  
  

5. Discipline with Redemptive Purpose (17:15–19:05)

• Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:18–20.

• Discipline exposes spiritual reality and calls people back.

• Application: God sometimes allows hardship to open our eyes.

  
  

6. David Introduced into Saul’s Court (19:38–23:45)

• Saul’s attendants suggest music for relief.

• Providence: David’s skill with the lyre positions him before the king.

• Key Point: God orchestrates unseen “meanwhile” moments to place His servants.

  
  

7. David’s Character Revealed (27:04–30:22)

• Servant’s report: David is skilled, brave, handsome, articulate, and “the Lord is with him.”

• Still a shepherd—humble beginnings noted.

• Key Point: God raises leaders who can honor both big and small tasks.

  
  

8. David’s Service to Saul (31:29–36:30)

• Saul requests David; David serves while continuing to care for sheep (1 Samuel 17:15).

• Key Point: Faithfulness in small responsibilities prepares us for greater ones.

  
  

9. Relief Through Worship (38:57–41:39)

• Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:23.

• Every time David played, Saul found relief and the troubling spirit departed.

• Key Point: Worship under God’s Spirit redirects hearts back to Him.

  
  

10. Temporary Relief vs. Lasting Freedom (42:03–47:37)

• Application: Many settle for short-term fixes rather than full obedience.

• Invitation: Choose lasting freedom in Christ over temporary relief.

• Closing: God calls us to be His agents of Spirit-filled solutions

Scripture References

1. 1 Samuel 16:10–13 (06:15–07:15)

• David anointed with oil, Spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

• Used to contrast God’s Spirit resting on David after Saul’s rejection.

  
  

2. 1 Samuel 10:10 (08:10)

• Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he prophesied.

• Shows Saul once received the same Spirit and calling as David.

  
  

3. 1 Samuel 11:6 (08:10)

• Spirit of God came on Saul when defending Israel.

• Reinforces that Saul’s failure was due to disobedience, not lack of Spirit.

  
  

4. 1 Samuel 16:14 (10:41–12:22)

• Spirit departs Saul; troubling spirit torments him.

• Central text: introduces tension of God’s sovereignty and discipline.

  
  

5. 1 Samuel 16:1 (11:13)

• God tells Samuel He has rejected Saul as king.

• Explains why the Spirit left Saul — he lost the divine assignment.

  
  

6. Judges 16:20 (implied, Samson) (12:36–13:00)

• Samson didn’t realize the Spirit had departed.

• Used as a comparison: Saul’s loss of the Spirit was evident, unlike Samson.

  
  

7. Job 1–2 (implied) (14:46–15:19)

• God allows Satan to test Job.

• Illustrates that evil spirits operate only under God’s permission.

  
  

8. Mark 5:9–13 (15:28–16:39)

• Jesus permits demons to enter pigs.

• Shows Christ’s sovereignty over demons, parallel to Saul’s troubling spirit.

  
  

9. 1 Corinthians 5:5 (17:15–17:30)

• “Hand this man over to Satan… so his spirit may be saved.”

• Applied to show discipline’s redemptive purpose, even when severe.

  
  

10. 1 Timothy 1:18–20 (17:30–18:12)

• Paul delivers Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan to teach them.

• Another example of discipline leading to repentance.

  
  

11. Psalm 23:5 (34:48–35:12)

• “You prepare a table before me… anoint my head with oil.”

• Connected to David’s experience of being chosen while overlooked.

  
  

12. 1 Samuel 16:19–23 (31:29–39:45)

• Saul summons David; David plays lyre, spirit departs Saul.

• Main storyline: God uses David’s worship as a redemptive answer.

  
  

13. 1 Samuel 17:15 (36:17–36:30)

• David goes back and forth tending sheep while serving Saul.

• Emphasizes David’s faithfulness in small tasks alongside great ones

Word Study

1. Spirit

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Word: רוּחַ (rûaḥ) – Strong’s H7307 – roo’-akh

• Definition:

  • Simple: breath, wind, spirit.

  • Extended: denotes breath of life, human disposition, or the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit). Used for God’s empowering presence.

• Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonym: נְשָׁמָה (neshamah, H5397) – breath of life (Genesis 2:7).

  • Antonym: בָּשָׂר (basar, H1320) – flesh, human weakness.

• Other Key Uses:

  • Genesis 1:2 – “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

  • Ezekiel 37:14 – “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.”

  • Judges 14:6 – Spirit of the Lord came on Samson.

• Reflection: The sermon highlighted that both Saul and David received the same ruach (Spirit of God), but their outcomes depended on obedience. The Spirit represents God’s empowering presence, and losing it (as Saul did) leads to torment and spiritual decline.

  
  

2. Evil / Troubling

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Word: רַע (raʿ) – Strong’s H7451 – rah

• Definition:

  • Simple: bad, evil, trouble.

  • Extended: can mean moral evil, adversity, calamity, or something grievous. In 1 Samuel 16:14 it refers to a troubling or grievous spirit allowed by God.

• Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonym: אָוֶן (aven, H205) – trouble, wickedness.

  • Antonym: טוֹב (tov, H2896) – good, pleasant.

• Other Key Uses:

  • Genesis 2:9 – tree of the knowledge of good (tov) and evil (raʿ).

  • Isaiah 45:7 – God “creates calamity (raʿ).”

  • Amos 3:6 – “Shall there be evil (raʿ) in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?”

• Reflection: The sermon explained that the “evil spirit” tormenting Saul reflects God’s sovereignty. Even troubling forces are subject to His purposes, often for discipline and redirection.

  
  

3. Anoint

• Language: Hebrew (Old Testament)

• Word: מָשַׁח (māšaḥ) – Strong’s H4886 – maw-shakh’

• Definition:

  • Simple: to smear, anoint.

  • Extended: consecrate, set apart for holy office or task. Used of kings, priests, and sacred objects.

• Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonym: קָדַשׁ (qadash, H6942) – consecrate, sanctify.

  • Antonym: חָלַל (chalal, H2490) – profane, defile.

• Other Key Uses:

  • Exodus 28:41 – anoint Aaron and his sons as priests.

  • 1 Samuel 10:1 – Samuel anoints Saul.

  • Psalm 23:5 – “You anoint my head with oil.”

• Reflection: The anointing of David marks God’s selection and empowerment. The sermon stressed that David was not more qualified than Saul; both were equally anointed, but David obeyed where Saul disobeyed.

Questions for Deeper Study

1. Spirit & Obedience

   • Both Saul and David received the same Spirit and calling, yet their responses led to very different outcomes.

   • Question: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than walking in obedience to the Spirit of God (1 Samuel 16:13–14; Galatians 5:16)?

2. Discipline & Redemption

   • God allowed a troubling spirit to come upon Saul, not to destroy him, but to redirect his eyes back to the Lord.

   • Question: How has God used seasons of difficulty or discipline in your life to draw you closer to Him (Hebrews 12:5–11; 1 Corinthians 5:5)?

3. The Shepherd’s Example

   • David remained faithful in small tasks as a shepherd while also serving in the king’s court.

   • Question: How can you cultivate faithfulness in both small and large responsibilities, reflecting Christ as the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23; John 10:11)?