Javelin, Round Two
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Another of the interminable wars between Israel and Philistia broke out soon after Saul made his pact with David. David led the armies of Israel against the Philistines and won a great victory. Once again David was acclaimed by the people as a great warrior and the people’s hero. This reignited Saul’s flame of anger and kindled another outburst of rage.
“Saul had rejected the Spirit of God—committed the unpardonable sin—and there was nothing more God could do for him. . . . It was not that the Spirit of Jehovah withdrew from Saul arbitrarily; but rather that Saul rebelled against His guidance, and deliberately withdrew himself from the influence of the Spirit. This must be understood in harmony with Ps. 139:7 and with the fundamental principle of free choice. . . . “. . . The Scriptures sometimes represent God as doing that which He does not specifically prevent. In giving Satan an opportunity to demonstrate his principles, God, in effect, would limit His own power. Of course, there were limits beyond which Satan could not go (see Job 1:12; 2:6), but within his limited sphere he did have divine permission to act. Thus, although his acts are contrary to the divine will, he can do nothing except what God permits him to do, and whatever he and his evil spirits may do, is done with God’s permission. Therefore when God withdrew His own Spirit from Saul (see on 1 Sam. 16:13, 14), Satan was free to have his way.” Saul could not control his emotions toward David when it came to evil surmising. “While the young man was playing before the king, filling the palace with sweet harmony, Saul’s passion overcame him, and he hurled a javelin at David, thinking to pin the musician to the wall; but the angel of the Lord turned aside the deadly weapon. David escaped and fled to his own house.” “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged” (Psalm 37:32, 33).
