Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Samuel 16:14-23

"Now the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him. And Saul`s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, that are before thee, to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the 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. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep. And Jesse took an ass [laden] with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armorbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight. And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." — 1 Samuel 16:14-23 (ASV)

Saul was made a terror to himself. The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. If God and his grace do not rule us, sin and Satan will take possession of us. The devil, by Divine permission, troubled and terrified Saul through the disorders of his body and the passions of his mind.

He grew fretful, peevish, and discontented, and at times a madman. It is a pity that music, which can be beneficial to a good disposition of the mind, should ever be abused to support vanity and luxury, and be made an occasion of drawing the heart away from God and serious matters. That is driving away the good Spirit, not the evil spirit.

Music, diversions, company, or business have often, for a time, been employed to quiet the wounded conscience; but nothing can effect a real cure except the blood of Christ, applied in faith, and the sanctifying Spirit sealing the pardon by his holy comforts. All other plans to dispel religious melancholy are sure to add to distress, either in this world or the next.