Principle
The Bible says that God sent an evil spirit upon Saul.
Explanation
We previously observed how the Bible says in 1 Samuel 16 (1 Kingdoms 16) that Saul was given an “evil spirit” from GOD to torment him.
14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold, an evil spirit from the Lord is tormenting you. 16 Now let your servants speak before you, and let them seek for our lord a man who knows how to play the harp. And it will come to pass when the evil spirit is upon you, he will play his harp, and it will be good for you and give you rest.”
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 16:14-16 OSB
A couple of chapters later, in the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) version of the Old Testament—from which most English Old Testaments are translated, a similar statement is found in 1 Samuel 18:
10 And it was on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God rested upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, and David was playing with his hand like everyday, and the spear was in Saul’s hand.
1 Samuel 18:10 The Complete Jewish Bible
What does this “evil spirit” mean? And how could a holy God send something “evil” upon a person?
In the Greek Septuagint (LXX)—the oldest and most accurate text family of the complete Old Testament that we currently possess, the word translated “evil” is πονηρός. (transliteration: ponéros).
This word can mean “evil,” and is most often translated this way in the New Testament. But the word can also mean hurtful, calamitous, ill (diseased), mischief (malice), or guilt.
For example, Jesus used this word when speaking parabolically of a type of tree:
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad [ponéros] fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad [ponéros] fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 7:15-20 NKJV
Earthly fruit from trees—trees which GOD originally created—is not “evil” as in full of sin, but fruit from trees can be hurtful or sick.
When GOD sent this spirit upon Saul, I see one of two things being possible:
- GOD commanded a present (in heaven) spirit that had already sinned and was therefore evil, such as a demonic spirit, to plague Saul, or …
- GOD commanded a spirit that was not itself guilty of sin to oppress Saul with feelings of guilt, sickness, or hurtfulness.
GOD’s will for Saul, even though Saul’s kingdom was being torn from him, was for Saul to repent. We see examples of other kings later in Scripture, such as Manasseh, who were much more wicked than Saul (see 2 Chronicles 33:10-13).
GOD is good and longs to bless His children, whom Saul was as an Israelite. Although Scripture does not state as much, based upon what else Scripture says about GOD’s character and mercy, I believe that GOD would have removed the “evil spirit,” had Saul sought true repentance. But he did not.
Septuagint Textual Difference
I previously mentioned that the Hebrew Masoretic Text version of the Old Testament includes the second reference to GOD sending the “evil” spirit upon Saul (see 1 Samuel 18:10).
Whereas the Septuagint does not contain the statements found in 1 Samuel 18:1-6a, it does include v10-11, but in a later place in the text (1 Kingdoms 19:9-10). The LXX reads as follows in 1 Kingdoms 18:
8 And the statement was viewed as evil in Saul’s eyes. And this is what he said about these words: “To David they give the tens of thousands, and to me they give thousands.” 9 And Saul began watching David with suspicion from that day and onward. 12 And Saul was afraid of the face of David.
1 Kingdoms 18:8-12 LES2
The Lexham English Septuagint Second Edition (LES2) includes footnotes stating that verses 1-6a and 10-11 are not included here in the LXX.
Meanwhile, the Orthodox Study Bible (OSB) translation of the Septuagint uses its own contiguous verse numbering in 1 Kingdoms 18, which causes the numbers to vary from Bibles based upon the MT. The OSB reads:
3 These words seemed evil in the eyes of Saul, and he said to David, “They ascribed to you ten thousands, and to me they ascribed only thousands.” 4 So from that day forward, Saul eyed David with suspicion, 5 as Saul was apprehensive of the mere presence of David, 6 and he removed David from himself. He made David his captain of a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people. 7 David was prudent in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. 8 And Saul saw David to be exceedingly wise, and felt challenged by his presence. 9 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before the people.
1 Kingdoms 18:3-9 OSB
Whereas 1 Samuel 18:11 in the Hebrew Masoretic Text states that Saul threw a spear at David, the Septuagint inserts these verses later, in 1 Kingdoms 19:9-10.
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