<p>David Basher discusses his research on the biblical text of 1 Samuel 16, focusing on the concept of ghosts and evil spirits in the ancient Near East. He explains the story of Saul, who is tormented by an evil spirit after being rejected as king, and explores various interpretations of Saul's condition, including psychological and supernatural explanations. The discussion also touches on the role of music in healing, the historical context of biblical narratives, and the lack of medical texts from ancient Israel. Basher emphasizes the importance of understanding ancient beliefs and practices to interpret biblical texts accurately. Resources recommended in this episode include <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/judahite-burial-practices-and-beliefs-about-the-dead-9780567506238/"><i>Judahite Burial Practices and Beliefs about the Dead</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/death-in-the-iron-age-ii-and-in-first-isaiah-9783161517518/"><i>Death in the Iron Age II and in First Isaiah</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gorgiaspress.com/burial-practices-funerary-texts-and-the-treatment-of-death-in-iron-age-israel-and-aram"><i>Death and Burial in Iron Age Israel, Aram, and Phoenicia</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://academic.oup.com/book/9018"><i>A History of Death in the Hebrew Bible</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506486321/Gods-Monsters"><i>God’s Monsters</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/www.sbl-site.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/9781628370775_OA.pdf"><i>Disembodied Souls: The Nefesh in Israel and Kindred Spirits in the Ancient Near East, with an Appendix on the Katumuwa Inscription</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110670035/html?lang=en&amp;srsltid=AfmBOoowAZ_k98gMOcO72fFwnpeLmxyrxJcU1B5vBET2TvS__OQCss6l"><i>Unfamiliar Selves in the Hebrew Bible: Possession and Other Spirit Phenomena</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/recovering-the-monstrous-in-revelation-9781978784574/"><i>Recovering the Monstrous in Revelation</i></a>; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/STW/star-wars---legends/"><i>Star Wars Legends</i></a>; and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wipfandstock.com/9798385256990/murder-in-the-tidwell-building/"><i>Murder in the Tidwell Building</i></a>.</p>