Saul had learned that David and his force were with the Philistines, and he expected that the son of Jesse would take this opportunity to revenge the wrongs he had suffered. The king was in sore distress. It was his own unreasoning passion, spurring him on to destroy the chosen of God, that had involved the nation in so great peril. While he had been engrossed in pursuing David he had neglected the defense of his kingdom. The Philistines, taking advantage of its unguarded condition, had penetrated into the very heart of the country. Thus while Satan had been urging Saul to employ every energy in hunting David, that he might destroy him, the same malignant spirit had inspired the Philistines to seize their opportunity to work Saul's ruin and overthrow the people of God. How often is the same policy still employed by the archenemy! He moves upon some unconsecrated heart to kindle envy and strife in the church, and then, taking advantage of the divided condition of God's people, he stirs up his agents to work their ruin.

Saul havde fået at vide, at David og hans mænd var med filisterne, og nu ventede han, at Isajs søn ville benytte lejligheden til at hævne sig. Kongen var i den yderste nød. Det var, fordi hans eget blinde raseri havde ansporet ham til at dræbe den mand, som Gud havde udvalgt, at nationen var kommet ud i denne store fare. Han havde været så optaget af at efterstræbe David, at han havde forsømt rigets forsvar. Filisterne havde draget fordel heraf og var trængt ind i selve landets hjerte. På samme tid som Satan opflammede Saul til at sætte al sin energi ind på at opspore og dræbe David, tilskyndende den samme onde ånd filisterne til at benytte anledningen til at dræbe Saul og besejre Guds folk. Ærkefjenden benytter sig også hyppigt af denne fremgangsmåde i dag. Han tilskynder et eller andet uomvendt menighedsmedlem til at vække misundelse og strid i menigheden, og når det er lykkedes, drager han fordel af Guds folks indre stridigheder og får sine håndlangere til at forvolde deres ulykke.