What an example was Saul giving to the subjects of his kingdom in his desperate, unprovoked persecution of David! What a record he was making to be placed upon the pages of history for future generations! He sought to turn the full tide of the power of his kingdom into the channel of his own hatred in hunting down an innocent man. All this had a demoralizing influence upon Israel. And while Saul was giving loose reign to his passion, Satan was weaving a snare to compass his ruin, and the ruin of his kingdom. While the king and his councilors were planning for the capture of David, the affairs of the nation were being mismanaged and neglected. While imaginary foes were constantly presented before the minds of the people, the real enemies were strengthening themselves without arousing suspicion or alarm. By following the dictates of Satan, Saul was himself hastening the very result which, with unsanctified ability, he was endeavoring to avert.{2BC 1019.5}

Hvilket et eksempel gav Saul til sit riges undersåtter i sin desperate og umotiverede forfølgelse af David! Hvilken optegnelse gør han for at sætte på historiens sider for fremtidige generationer! Han forsøgte at vinde hans riges magts fulde tidevand ind i sin egen hadefulde kanal, ved at jage et uskyldigt menneske. Alt dette havde en demoraliserende indflydelse på Israel. Og medens Saul slav tøjlerne for hans lidenskab, vævede Satan en snare til at omspænde hans ruin, og hans riges ruin. Medens kongen og hans rådgivere planlagde at fange David, blev nationens anliggender ikke styret og forsømt. Så længe indbildte fjender hele tiden kom frem for folkets tanker, blev de virkelige fjender selv stærkere uden at ane mistanke eller foruroligelse. Ved at følge Satans diktater, fremskyndede Saul de resultater, som han med uhelliggjorte evner bestræbte sig på at bortlede.