According to 1 Samuel 18:10, the distressing spirit came upon Saul, and he prophesied in his house. He then tried to kill David with a spear. The verse says that the distressing spirit was from God. How could a good God send a distressing spirit to Saul?

– Nelson, United Kingdom

PR. GEORGY’S RESPONSE:

Since God is absolutely sovereign, He is in complete control of any situation. Even any evil spirit is subject to the authority of God. It was according to God’s permission that the distressing spirit was allowed to come upon Saul to torment him. As Saul had already rejected God, God also had rejected him from being king. God had a purpose in sending such a spirit to provoke Saul to kill David. Saul’s attempt to kill David made Saul realize that God was with David. In 1 Sam. 18:13, we see Saul sending David away and making him captain over a thousand. This actually increased David’s popularity with the people, and quickened Saul’s own downfall. The sending of the distressing spirit upon Saul is similar to God’s allowing Satan to torment Job. God allows evil, but always uses it to advance His good purposes.