Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.”
(1 Samuel 16:14-16 ESV)
Saul's punishment for disobedience was two-fold. First, he lost the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen and give him victory as king (since he refused to accept his dependence upon God, he experienced doing it on his own). Secondly, God allowed a tormenting spirit to constantly annoy him (causing him to cry out for comfort on a consistent basis.) In his anger, depression and jealousy, Saul was quite difficult to be around, both personally and professionally. So his court court counselors gently approached him on a "good" day and offered a solution, which was sold as what would make him feel better. Saul was all about his "being well." This also would make daily life, and the state of the nation, much more pleasant as well. Our sin affects everyone around us. The consequences of our sin affect everyone in contact with us, whether we realize it or not. Have you become a loose cannon, ready to fire? Does your depressing disposition infect everyone around you? Come clean. Call out for God's help. Admit your dependence on Him and confess the ways you have hurt those "dependent" upon you. Take responsibility, and do your part to make sure "all is well" not only for you, but all those around you.
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