7 questions when in confusing Circumstances

Read 1 Samuel 19.

King Saul increasingly showed signs of insanity or, at least, some level of schizophrenia.  His behavior could quickly change.  In one moment he displayed rage and murderous intent.  Then, in the next he was repentive and conciliatory.

Saul knew that his days were numbered as king.  It was obvious to him that David would succeed him, even if he had not already been told of Samuel's anointing of David.  On one hand Saul knew the facts of David's loyalty and service to him.  Saul knew God's hand was upon David and this had blessed Saul's reign.  Yet, jealousy and insecurity caused him to react unjustifiably. 

When Saul proved incapable of killing David by himself, he ordered his servants to do it.  He even sent out a posse after David.  But each time Saul's plans were thwarted.  God protected both men.  He protected Saul from committing murder and protected David from rebellion against the king.

The last part of this chapter shows God's intervention and, perhaps, even a bit of humor.  As the messengers approached the place where Samuel and David were, "the Spirit of God came upon them."  The same thing occurred when Saul arrived.  Eugene Merrill wrote, "This means that they fell into a trance of an ecstatic state, a condition which immobilized them and made them incapable of accomplishing their evil intentions."

The agony for David was not just from Saul's pursuit of his life.  David was being tested by God through this horrific time.

-Will he rebel against his God-given authority and take matters into his own hands?

-As a proven warrior and the support of the army, will he take revenge and kill Saul?

-He had been anointed to be the next king; would he question God's plans for his life?

-Would he become a door mat, a continuing moving target for Saul, or a willing martyr?

-Will he use this time to hone his skills as a warrior-leader?

-Will he write down his feelings and his faith to express his pain in ways that can help others (Psalms)?

-Will he cast his dependence upon God and do what is right regardless of what others do?

The answer to those test questions are determined in advance by first having a heart that belongs to God, coupled with a commitment to be obedient to Him no matter what.