the evil spirit: 1 Samuel 16:14-15, 1 Samuel 19:9, 1 Samuel 26:19
and he prophesied: Wyyithnabbai:, rather, "and he pretended to prophesy; for the verb is in Hithpael:, the signification of which conjugation is not only reflex action, but also affectation of the action: Jeremiah 29:26-27. The meaning seems to be, that Saul, influenced by the evil spirit, feigned to be prophesying, the better to conceal his murderous intentions, and to render David unsuspicious. 1 Samuel 19:24; 1 Kings 18:29, 1 Kings 22:12, 1 Kings 22:20-23; Jeremiah 28:2-4, Jeremiah 28:11; Zechariah 13:2-5; Acts 16:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:11
played: 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Samuel 16:23
and there was: Wehachanith beyad Shaool:, rather, "and the javelin was in the hand of Saul;" for the javelin or spear was the emblem of regal authority; and kings had it always in their hand, as may be seen represented on ancient monuments. In ancient times, says Justin, kings used a spear instead of a sceptre.