All through his course of rebellion Saul had been flattered and deceived by Satan. It is the tempter's work to belittle sin, to make the path of transgression easy and inviting, to blind the mind to the warnings and threatenings of the Lord. Satan, by his bewitching power, had led Saul to justify himself in defiance of Samuel's reproofs and warning. But now, in his extremity, he turned upon him, presenting the enormity of his sin and the hopelessness of pardon, that he might goad him to desperation. Nothing could have been better chosen to destroy his courage 681 and confuse his judgment, or to drive him to despair and self-destruction.

Saul var segnefærdig af træthed og sult. Han var grebet af rædsel og følte sig slagen i sin samvittighed. Da han hørte den frygtelige spådom, faldt han til jorden som en eg, der bukker under for stormen.