Question about Saul

Proverbs 17:11

God permitted a devil to torment Saul because Saul had demonstrated by a series of choices that he didn't want really want serve God- that put him in the devil's realm; and God arranged things so that Saul ultimately got what was fitting for him. Proverbs 17:11 quoted above is indeed fitting here.

Ezekiel 14.3 also.

Saul quit obeying and started pretending. I feel warned when I read this.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan.

I guess none of us clarified, but I had assumed the question was about the OT Saul who was first annointed king before David. He had quite the struggle going from someone hiding among the baggage to being king and overstepping his place in disobedience and rebellion.

Saul-Paul in the NT seemed to "get it." He understood that humility toward God was crucial. Sounded to me he went from a proud Pharisee to a humble minister of the gospel stoned and left for dead, beaten and singing in jail at midnight.

The question regarding 1 sam 18:10 must also be read in the greater contect of 1 Samuel in general. This isn't the first time that the spirit of God had rushed Saul. Cf 1 Sam 10:10: (ESV)

10 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.

Second, It also identified Saul as a false prophet in the later incident. Cf 1 kings 22:21-23:

Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the LORD has declared disaster for you.”

Thirdly Saul is not to be feared cf Deut 18:22:
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

In fact Saul became or even dreaded David: 1 sam 18:12
Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.

Why you ask? Because God said through the Prohpet Samuel that Saul will not establish a dynasty. 1 sam 15:22:

22 And Samuel said,

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has also rejected you from being king.”



cf 1 sam 16:13:

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

The promise of Christ resides in David, not Saul. Recall Saul's pride was the cause of his disobedience and now the Lord has given him over to his pride. It is judgement.

W2L said:

Paul had a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan.

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Paul was given knowledge no other saint had! He also saw the 3rd heaven (the throne of God) these things would puff up any human nature- so he had a physical disability to keep him humble! Smart move by our Smart God!

nolidad said:

Paul was given knowledge no other saint had! He also saw the 3rd heaven (the throne of God) these things would puff up any human nature- so he had a physical disability to keep him humble! Smart move by our Smart God!

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Yes

First, Paul openly told his fellow believers that he was dealing with “a thorn in the flesh,” a trial of some sort. Even though Paul begged God to remove his affliction, it remained.-2 Corinthians 12:7.

The Bible does not state just what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. Whether physical, emotional, or both, the metaphor suggests something that caused Paul pain. Or the thorn may have involved individuals who challenged Paul’s credentials as an apostle and called into question his preaching and teaching work.-2 Corinthians 10:10-12; 11:5, 6, 13

Paul stated why God did not remove his thorn in the flesh: “That I might not be overly exalted.” Paul’s “thorn” reminded him of his limitations and helped him to maintain a humble view of himself. That is in line with what Jesus taught: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Trials can teach God’s servants humility and help them to appreciate that to endure faithfully they need to rely on Jehovah. Thus, like the apostle, they can “boast in Jehovah.”-1 Corinthians 1:31.

Like Paul, perhaps you face a similar situation today. You may have prayed with persistence and with confidence, asking Jehovah to remove a trial. Despite your repeated petitions, however, the problem still confronts you. This does that mean that God did not respond to your prayers and that his spirit is not helping you.-Psalm 10:1, 17.

Gold fish said:

Why did God send an evil spirit to Saul?

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Because Saul did not [hear His voice], [Deut 28:2] all hell broke loose.

Because you have rejected the word, He also has rejected you... 1 Sam 15:23 The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today... 1 Sam 15:28 2 Chronicles 6:15

Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, have foretold these days,... To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you... Acts 3:24-26, 2 Tim 2:8