Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul..."
Text: 1 Samuel 16:14
THE DEPARTURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
This is one of the most sobering statements about the Holy Spirit’s ministry.
“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul,
and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.”
1 Samuel 16:14
1. “Then the Spirit of God came upon him”
a) This statement was recorded in 1 Samuel 10:10.
b) This text describes how Saul was anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to be the first king of Israel.
2. “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul”
a) This text describes how Saul was no longer recognised by God as the king of Israel.
b) He had been rejected by the Lord because of his stubbornness and his disobedience to the Lord.
c) The departure of the Spirit of the Lord may be understood in a number of ways: –
i) The Spirit of God would no longer be there to empower Saul.
ii) He would no longer be present with Saul in the carrying out of his duties.
iii) He would no longer offer His guidance.
iv) He would withdraw His holy protection.
3. “And a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him”
a) A distressing spirit is an evil spirit.
b) He is described as being “from the LORD”.
i) The evil spirit was allowed to trouble Saul.
ii) Saul would be buffeted by this evil spirit of melancholy.
iii) The withdrawal of the Holy Spirit meant that Divine protection was now gone.
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
When Saul knew that David had been anointed as the next king of Israel, he spared no effort to kill his successor. But the Spirit of God exerted Divine power over Saul and his men on at least four occasions: –
1. The first set of messengers of Saul at Naioth:
“The Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.”
1 Samuel 19:20c
2. The second set of messengers:
“He sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise.”
1 Samuel 19:21b
3. The third set of messengers:
“Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.”
1 Samuel 19:21
4. Saul himself:
“So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also…”
1 Samuel 19:23