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1 Samuel 18 · a question people ask

"An evil spirit from God" again: does this chapter say more about it?

In the text

It says the same thing in the same words, and then something new. The chapter says that "an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house" (18:10) (tap spirit and came mightily). In Hebrew an evil spirit from God is three words, ruach elohim ra'ah: spirit, God, evil, with no separate word for from. They are the same three words Saul's servants used in 16:15 and 16:16. What is new is the spear: "Saul had his spear in his hand" (18:10), "and Saul threw the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!”" (18:11). How Christians read an evil spirit from the LORD is the honest question in chapter 16, on 16:14, which sets out the main views. This chapter doesn't settle it, and neither does this answer.

The verses

“On the next day, an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the middle of the house. David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul threw the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” David escaped from his presence twice.”
1 Samuel 18:10-11 · World English Bible
“Now the LORD’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.””
1 Samuel 16:14-16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Samuel 18

1 Samuel 18: As his own soul

Every time chapter 18 uses the Hebrew verb for love, David is the one loved: by Jonathan, by all Israel and Judah, by Michal, and, in Saul's own message, by all his servants (18:1, 18:16, 18:20, 18:22, 18:28). Saul alone is afraid of him, and the chapter gives the reason: "because the LORD was with him" (18:12).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions