1 Samuel 18:12

12 Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and was departed from Saul.

1 Samuel 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 18:12

And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him,
&c.] Protecting and preserving him, prospering and succeeding him, giving him victory over his enemies, and favour among the people; the Targum is,

``the Word of the Lord was for his help.''

Procopius Gazaeus interprets it of the Holy Ghost, whose grace was vouchsafed unto him: he might be afraid in his melancholy fits, that as he had attempted to take away the life of David, that David would contrive and seek an opportunity, and take away his life, and seize the kingdom which God had given him, and his being with him strengthened these fears:

and was departed from Saul;
so that he was destitute of courage, and greatness of mind, and of wisdom and prudence, and became mean and abject, and exposed himself to the contempt of his subjects.

1 Samuel 18:12 In-Context

10 It happened on the next day, that an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;

11 and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will strike David even to the wall. David avoided out of his presence twice.

12 Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and was departed from Saul.

13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

14 David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Yahweh was with him.