God's Hand Versus Saul's Hand: 1 Samuel 19:18-24

God is great and glorious, capable of turning evil into His glory.  Many stories exist in the Bible where the world comes to foil God’s plan and do harm to His people, yet God wins out.  The greatest of these stories brings salvation to those who receive it.  God can turn our evil into our own salvation.

When David flees, he heads to Samuel.  Since Samuel is the prophet who anointed David, Samuel understands the backstory without having to be told.  Among the prophets, David will be supported in his desire to follow God and grow in His Spirit.  Furthermore, Samuel has battled wits with Saul in the past and has always come out victorious.  David is wise to go to Samuel, whom with God’s help is more than capable of dealing with Saul.

Unfortunately, Saul discovers David’s location through his spy network within Ramah.  In this, we understand how evil can dwell even among places of righteous.  Even among the worshippers of God, members of Saul’s network see David, report to Saul, and place David’s life in jeopardy.  These spies dwelled close to the righteousness of Samuel, yet they chose the prosperity and prestige of Saul over God’s righteousness.

Saul sends a series of servants to take David.  Whether Saul intends for these servants to kill him on the spot or capture David and bring him to Saul is not significant.  What is significant is Saul’s continued pursuit of David.  His emotional rollercoaster continues.

When Saul’s servants come, the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon them and they prophesy.  What the Bibles means by this is not specifically known, but the servants of Saul could have done anything from joining the prophets under Samuel in singing God’s praise to speaking God’s Word among the people.  Three times Saul sends servants; three times Saul’s people give glory to God.  God takes the evil lying within our hearts and turns the situation around so His name is glorified.

Finally, Saul himself goes to Ramah to seek David and fulfill his murderous desire.  When Saul comes, he also prophesies.  The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Saul.

Twice Saul has prophesied.  Twice has experienced the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him so suddenly he loses control and gives glory to God.  Twice Saul has acted so amazingly the people around him ask if Saul is among the prophets.

The sad part of this story is Saul never reaps a reward from either amazing experience.  The first time Saul prophesied, it demonstrated God’s willingness to work through him as king.  In response, Saul went home and tended his father’s flocks.  Here, God’s Spirit comes upon him, but only to prevent Saul’s murderous heart from realizing its goal.

In the end, God cares of His own.  God’s name is praised by the very people who came to interfere with God’s plan.  God is great and glorious, capable of turning evil into His glory.