The servants referred to here may have been household servants or higher officials in Saul’s service. The latter seems more likely. For this reason Contemporary English Version translates “Saul’s officials.”

Behold now: on the function of these words, see page 18 and following. New Revised Standard Version says “See now.”

An evil spirit from God: see the comments on the expression an evil spirit from the LORD in the previous verse.

Is tormenting: see the comments on this verb in verse 14.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .