Saul's Torment: Understanding God's Use of Evil Spirits

Saul wasn't crowned king because of his valor, virtue, bravery or goodness, but because the people wanted to be like the other nations around them that had human rulers. This desire the people had for a human king instead of God's rule and authority troubled Samuel, the prophet, deeply.

God, the true king of Israel, burned with a righteous anger. He had chosen them, led them, protected them. Now, they prefer to put their lives in an untested man, a king of flesh and bone instead of the eternal King of Kings, their Creator.

1 Samuel 8, 7-8: "And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.'"

There is not much known about why God chose Saul, but the Bible mentions a few specific reasons: he was a goodly man and taller than anyone else, head and shoulders above the rest.

1 Samuel 9:2: "And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people."

We are first introduced to Saul as he is searching for his father's lost donkeys, traveling through the hill country of Ephraim and the land of Shalisha, but without success. It is during this seemingly mundane task that Saul's path intersects with God's new plan requested, by the people, and permitted by God.

As Saul and his servant search the lands they couldn't find the donkeys, so they decided to seek help from Samuel the prophet. When Saul arrived in the city where Samuel was, he encountered some young women who told him that Samuel was nearby. Saul and his servant went to meet Samuel, and as they approached him, Samuel received a divine message from God that Saul was the one whom God had chosen to be the ruler over His people.

Before Saul's anointing, God sent a message, spoken through Samuel, to the people with a clear warning (1 Samuel 8:11-18). The Lord explained the consequences of having a human king, illustrating a future that would demand sacrifices they probably didn't want to pay such as:

Demanding their sons: These young men would be sent into military duty, racing ahead of chariots and engaging in warfare (v. 11).

Taxing their wealth: The king would claim a share of their harvests, fields, and livestock to finance his rule (v. 12-14).

Utilizing their daughters: These girls would be compelled to serve in the royal court, fulfilling roles such as perfumers, cooks, and bakers (v. 13).

This wasn't going to be a king who would simply rule; he would extract a heavy toll from the very people who demanded him. Yet, blinded by their desire to fit in and be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5), the Israelites ignored the warning, setting the stage for a complex relationship between their chosen king and their divine God.

During Saul's reign as king, he made two very grave mistakes which ultimately led to his rejection as king. Here are the pivotal moments of these significant instances:

Impatience and Taking Over Priestly Duties: Saul became impatient while waiting for the prophet Samuel to arrive and perform a sacrifice before a critical battle against the Philistines. Despite clear instructions to wait, Saul took it upon himself to offer the sacrifice, a role reserved exclusively for priests (1 Samuel 13:8-14). This act of impatience and overstepping his bounds demonstrated a lack of trust in God's timing and a serious breach of religious protocol, revealing a power grab beyond his ordained role as king. As a result, Samuel rebuked Saul, declaring that his kingdom would not endure, and that God had sought a man after His own heart to lead His people.

Disobeying God's Command on the Spoils of War: God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as divine retribution for their past wrongs against Israel. However, Saul disobeyed this command by sparing Agag, the Amalekite king, and keeping the best of the livestock and other valuables under the pretext of using them for sacrifices to God (1 Samuel 15:9). This act of disobedience showed Saul's failure to fully submit to God's will and follow divine instructions without compromise. When confronted by Samuel, Saul tried to justify his actions, but Samuel pronounced God's rejection of Saul as king, emphasizing that obedience to God's commands was more critical than any sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3: To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Saul's heart lacked genuine devotion to following God's will. Essentially, Saul stood on the fence: he pursued selfish desires in the world while making token efforts to please God, yet greed and impatience remained rooted in his heart.

God eventually removed his Spirit from Saul and sought out the future King David. God then sent Samuel to anoint David, a shepherd boy with a pure heart, as the next king (1 Samuel 16:1-13). And this began a complex dance – a game of cat and mouse – between David and Saul. The once-favored king, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, relentlessly pursued David, the divinely chosen successor (1 Samuel 18 onwards). Their story, is a captivating saga of ambition, betrayal, and redemption, unfolds in the latter half of 1 Samuel and throughout 2 Samuel.

What I aim to discuss, however, is the narrative of God withdrawing His spirit from Saul and instead sending an evil spirit upon him. This evil influence could be temporarily soothed by David playing the harp for Saul. However, as Saul's jealousy toward David grew, David found himself on the run, no longer available to ease Saul's torment caused by the evil spirit.

1 Samuel 16:14 KJV: "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."

Often, we tend to attribute our life problems to external factors such as our spouses, children, bosses, environment, the way we were raised, or even national leaders. However, the narrative of Saul's downfall underscores a deeper issue: his persistent compromise against the Word of the Lord.

Saul's downfall stemmed from his inclination towards partial obedience, where he would justify his disobedience by rationalizing that his actions were ultimately for the greater good.

Can you relate to this struggle? How many times has God directed you away from a certain path or action, only for you to justify it as a "good" thing to do? This conflict between what we perceive as good versus strict obedience to the leadings of the Holy Spirit is a recurring theme in our lives. Often, we find ourselves succumbing to the belief that what appears "good" must align with God's will.

As I've always said, "Good is the enemy of what's God." Saul's story exemplifies this truth vividly. His choices reflect a tendency to minimize the consequences of actions deemed "good" but not necessarily in alignment with God's will. In Saul's case, his disobedience led to the removal of God's Spirit from him, and an evil spirit SENT, from God, to torment him.

Consider this: Could the things tormenting you in your life stem from choosing the path of "good" over obedience to God? This question holds significant relevance in today's church, where many prioritize pleasing people over pleasing God. It's a trap where validation comes from human approval rather than divine acceptance. People hide behind acts of "goodness," coddling sin, embracing idols, and compromising with the world's language, ideas, traditions and opinions just to "fit in".

Prioritizing pleasing people over pleasing God is a trap.

Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Being driven by feelings rather than faith is conforming to the world's ways. As Christians, we are called to be people of faith, guided by the Holy Spirit, not slaves to our emotions. While feelings have their place, they should not dictate our actions or become idols in our lives. We are spiritual beings, and our lives find meaning and purpose when lived in alignment with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Saul was so lost without God, being tormented by an evil spirit, which only intensified his spiritual and emotional turmoil. This inner struggle led him to make rash decisions, "knee-jerk" reactions and seeking counsel from mediums and engaging in destructive behavior. Without the guidance and presence of God, Saul's life spiraled into despair and eventual tragedy.

Saul reaches a point in his life where he desperately seeks God's presence yet finds no response. Despite his prayers, God remains silent. In his dreams, Saul waits for a visitation from God, but none comes. He searches for divine guidance in prophecy, yet finds none forthcoming.

Previously, Saul, having banished all diviners, mediums, and wizards from the land, reaches a point of desperation in his quest to find God again. Despite his own decrees, he defies his own orders and seeks out a medium who can summon Samuel from the realm of the dead, as recounted in 1 Samuel 28:7-25. This act reflects Saul's desperate attempt to seek guidance from Samuel, who could then intercede with God on his behalf.

Saul deceives the medium by concealing his identity, but she discerns his true identity as she witnesses Samuel's approach from the realm of the dead. Saul pleads with Samuel, who reaffirms the tale of the day when both he and God abandoned Saul permanently. Samuel then prophesies that on that very day, Saul and his sons will join him in death. And indeed, that grim prophecy comes to pass.

Don't seek physics, occultism, or any parts of the kingdom of darkness for answers.

Whatever you extract from the kingdom of darkness

is not freely given- You will be called for payment.

Seek the Holy Spirit.

The thought of God departing from one's life is a sobering concept. In Saul's case, the absence of God's presence left an immense void, leading to profound sorrow and desperation. Without God's guidance and comfort, Saul found himself in a desperate state, resorting to actions that betrayed his own principles and kingdom laws.

Thankfully, for those who believe in Jesus Christ, there is reassurance in the New Testament that He will never leave nor forsake us. In Hebrews 13:5, it is written: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" If we find that we have done wrong, simply repenting for our actions ensures that we continue in God's presence. Jesus is the bridge to God- and Gods mercy and love provided Jesus as our constant redeemer when we fail.

During Saul's reign as king, he experiences periods of deep distress and irrational behavior. Saul's mood swings became pronounced, veering from moments of despair to fits of rage. His actions, driven by the influence of the evil spirit, led to violent outbursts, including attempts to harm his trusted servant David.

1 Samuel 18:10-11"The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, 'I'll pin David to the wall.' But David eluded him twice."

It's essential to consider the root cause of Saul's affliction. While the evil spirit was sent by God, it stemmed from Saul's character traits of compromise and disobedience. Saul's impulsive and insecure nature, coupled with his disobedience to God's commands, created fertile ground for the demonic influence to take hold.

The presence of the evil spirit highlights a sobering truth: when God turns away from someone or they leave the faith, it opens the door for darkness to infiltrate their life. What space God had in your life doesn't just become void, it becomes inhabited... by Evil.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus speaks about the return of an unclean spirit. Here’s the passage:

Matthew 12:43-45 (ESV)- “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house (that's you) from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house (you) empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter (you) and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

8 demons returning to the person who left God.

The lesson is to fill our hearts and lives with goodness and righteousness and the Holy Spirit to guard against spiritual emptiness. The equation is simple: prioritize God over every perceived goodness our flesh tells us. We must train ourselves to pause when we are tempted to engage in people-pleasing or justify actions as "good," and instead, seek guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Meddling in someone's valley of growth, pain, and learning can have severe consequences. Living solely by our feelings is dangerous. Even in situations that seem "good," we must seek God's will because there are often severe consequences when we prioritize "perceived goodness" over God's guidance.

Don't be seduced by the illusion of good especially under the premise of "people pleasing" or lustful desires. Scrutinize it. Does it truly serve the greater purpose, or is it a hidden cage for someone else, or disobedience act against God's will?

Don't follow Saul's example of impatience and overstepping boundaries, relying on your perception of what is 'good' rather than seeking God's perspective. Always remember that impatience and personal opinions outside of God's can invite evil spirits to torment you.

Disobedience often stems from fear—fear of people's thoughts, fear of embarrassment, fear of being wrong, fear of rejection, and so on. Disobedience driven by fear leads to torment:

1 John 4:18 (KJV) reveals: 'There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.'

Disobedience fueled by fear not only distances us from God but also leads to inner torment, spiritual turmoil and a demonic presence.

God looks for Davids, not Sauls. Sauls attract demons and torment. Be a David! Acts 13:22 praises David as a man after God's own heart, highlighting his qualities seen in Psalms: humility, reverence, trust, love, faithfulness, obedience, and repentance. David's example provides a roadmap for living a life aligned with God's will.

Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2024. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source. Artwork included.