The tidings reached Saul as he eagerly waited to have David in his power; but instead of feeling the rebuke of God, he was still more exasperated, and sent other messengers. These also were overpowered by the Spirit of God, and united with the first in prophesying. The third embassage was sent by the king; but when they came into the company of the prophets, the divine influence fell upon them also, and they prophesied. Saul then decided that he himself would go, for his fierce enmity had 654 become uncontrollable. He was determined to wait for no further chance to kill David; as soon as he should come within reach of him, he intended with his own hand to slay him, whatever might be the consequences.

Mens Saul utålmodigt gik og ventede på, at hans folk skulle tage David til fange, fik han at vide, hvad der var sket; men i stedet for at opfatte det som Guds finger, blev han endnu mere forbitret og sendte nogle andre folk af sted. Disse blev også overvældet af Guds ånd og gav sig til at profetere ligesom de første sendebud. Kongen sendte nu folk af sted for tredje gang. Da de nåede hen til profeterne, kom den guddommelige kraft også over dem, så at de profeterede. Nu besluttede Saul at tage af sted selv, for hans glødende had havde fuldstændig taget magten over ham. Han var fast besluttet på, at David skulle dræbes nu. Han ville selv slå ham ihjel, så snart han kom inden for hans rækkevidde, uden hensyn til følgerne.