The evil spirit from God: see verse 14. The Masoretic Text says “the spirit of God” (so New International Version, Fox, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). But the end of this verse clearly states that this spirit was an evil spirit, and this may be stated at the beginning of the verse also.

The lyre: see verse 16; also 18.10.

And played it with his hand: Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible omit the words with his hand as unnecessary, since in English it is assumed that a lyre would not be played any way except with one’s hand.

Saul was refreshed: the basic meaning of the Hebrew verb is “to be spacious.” The sense is that Saul was “relieved” (New Revised Standard Version) or “would find relief” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). It may also be possible to translate “Saul would then be soothed” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “Saul calmed down and felt better” (La Bible du Semeur).

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 .