1 Samuel 18:12

Saul was afraid. Saul’s reason for fearing David was his conviction that God had departed from him in favor of David. But had the Lord deliberately departed from Saul, or had the king forsaken his heavenly Father? Because He has given man the power of free choice, God will not restrain him by force if he rejects counsel. Adam forsook God when he yielded to the suggestions of the adversary. Did God forsake him? Paul deliberately persecuted the church of Christ. Did God forsake him? If so, how could Paul later affirm “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15)?

Through David’s ministry, the Lord was appealing to the hardened heart of Saul, inviting him to return and realize the healing power of God in his behalf. Though Saul had irretrievably disqualified himself as king, he might yet find salvation as an individual (see on ch. 15:23, 35).