Among the more challenging passages in the Old Testament is the account of King Saul, where Scripture states that “the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him” (1 Samuel 16:14, NLT). For thoughtful readers, this raises a serious theological concern: how can a good and holy God be associated with something described as “evil”? A friend at church asked me if I had any insight on this passge. My study had me reaching for my Hebrew concordance, because it can be deeply confusing unless it is interpreted within the broader witness of Scripture, which consistently affirms God’s goodness, holiness, and moral perfection.
The first key observation is the order of events. Scripture clearly tells us that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul before the troubling spirit appeared. This withdrawal was not sudden or unjust. Saul’s reign had become marked by repeated acts of disobedience, pride, and fear of people rather than fear of God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul deliberately altered God’s instructions regarding the Amalekites, prompting Samuel to confront him with sobering words: “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft… Because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king” (1 Samuel 15:23, NLT). Saul’s spiritual decline preceded his emotional and mental collapse.
Understanding the phrase “evil spirit” also requires attention to the Hebrew language and their worldview. The phrase ruach ra‘ah often refers not to moral evil, but to distress, calamity, or anguish. This usage appears in other places in Scripture. For example, through the prophet Isaiah, God declares, “I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things” (Isaiah 45:7, NLT). Here, “bad times (ruach ra‘ah)” refers to hardship or judgment, not moral corruption. God remains morally pure while sovereignly governing circumstances.
The Old Testament regularly attributes events to God’s agency to emphasize His sovereignty, even when permitting those events results in suffering. This does not make God the author of evil. Scripture is clear on this point. “The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness” (Psalm 145:17, NLT). Moses affirms, “He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair” (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT). Any interpretation of Saul’s experience must align with this consistent portrayal of God’s character.
Saul’s torment should therefore be understood as something God permitted, not something God morally produced. By withdrawing His Spirit, God allowed Saul to experience the internal turmoil that was a consequence of his hardened heart. Fear, paranoia, jealousy, and despair flooded in where divine guidance had once provided clarity and peace. This is consistent with Proverbs 14:12, which warns, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (NLT). Saul’s path, chosen repeatedly against God’s counsel, led to inner chaos.
The nature of Saul’s affliction further supports this understanding. We are told that David’s harp brought him relief: “Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away” (1 Samuel 16:23, NLT). This suggests not a malicious supernatural possession, but a distressing emotional and spiritual condition. Music restores calm and soothes anxiety; it does not typically resolve moral evil. Significantly, God’s mercy is still evident. Even in judgment, Saul is not abandoned entirely. Relief is provided, albeit temporarily.
The wider testimony of Scripture affirms that God does not produce moral evil or tempt human beings toward sin. James writes unambiguously, “God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else” (James 1:13, NLT). Likewise, Psalm 5:4 declares, “O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked” (NLT). These passages leave no room for understanding God as the source of evil intent or action.
Ultimately, Saul’s story is not intended to portray a cruel God, but to warn against persistent disobedience and spiritual resistance. God’s goodness remains constant, but His presence is not taken lightly. Saul’s life shows what happens when privilege replaces obedience and position replaces humility. When the Spirit departs, turmoil follows—not because God becomes evil, but because life apart from God is unstable and destructive.
Seen in the full light of Scripture, the troubling spirit in Saul’s life does not contradict God’s goodness. Instead, it highlights the seriousness of rejecting God’s guidance and the gracious yet sobering reality that God allows human choices to carry real consequences. God remains holy, just, and good—all the time!
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org