Yet the Lord still cared for them and did not give them up to the disasters that would have come upon them if the frail arm of flesh had become their only support. He brought them into close places, that they might be convicted of the folly of depending on man, and that they might turn to Him as their only help. The time for the proving of Saul had come. He was now to show whether or not he would depend on God and patiently wait according to His command, thus revealing himself as one whom God could trust in trying places as the ruler of His people, or whether he would be vacillating and unworthy of the sacred responsibility that had devolved upon him. Would the king whom Israel had chosen, listen to the Ruler of all kings? Would he turn the attention of his fainthearted soldiers to the One in whom is everlasting strength and deliverance?

Herren havde dog stadig omsorg for dem og ville ikke udsætte dem for de ulykker, som havde været uundgåelige, hvis de skulle have stolet på kødets svage arm alene. Han bragte dem i vanskeligheder for at få dem til at indse, hvor tåbeligt det er at stole på mennesker, og for at få dem til at forstå, at han er deres eneste tilflugt. Nu skulle Saul stå sin prøve. Nu skulle det vise sig, om han ville stole på Gud og vente tålmodigt, som Gud havde befalet, og om Gud kunne betro ham ledelsen af folket i vanskelige situationer, eller om han ville vakle og derved vise sig uværdig til det hellige ansvar, som han havde fået betroet. Spørgsmålet var, om den konge, som Israel havde valgt, ville rette sig efter kongernes Konge. Ville han henvise sine ængstelige soldater til ham, der altid er i stand til at hjælpe og udfri?