<![CDATA[The statement that the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul and that an “evil spirit from the LORD” subsequently tormented him in 1 Samuel 16:14 raises questions concerning the relationship between divine sovereignty, human disobedience, Saul’s psychological condition, and the transition of Israel’s leadership. This study aims to analyze the presence and absence of the Spirit of the LORD in Saul as an interconnected theological, psychological, and historical phenomenon. It employs a qualitative method combining library research and hermeneutical analysis. Data were drawn from the Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 16:14, selected Bible translations, commentaries, theological books, and journal articles on Old Testament pneumatology. The data were examined inductively through lexical analysis, narrative-contextual reading, thematic classification, and theological synthesis. The findings indicate that the presence of ruakh YHWH upon Saul functioned as divine empowerment and authorization for kingship, whereas the Spirit’s departure signified the withdrawal of his royal legitimacy because of persistent disobedience. The expression ruakh ra‘ah me’et YHWH emphasizes that Saul’s affliction did not operate beyond God’s sovereignty but occurred within the framework of divine judgment. Psychologically, Saul’s condition developed through fear, jealousy, emotional instability, and aggression, although the text provides insufficient grounds for a definitive clinical diagnosis. Historically, the event marked the transfer of royal legitimacy from Saul to David. Thus, 1 Samuel 16:14 integrates divine judgment, Saul’s inner collapse, and Israel’s monarchical transition within a unified theological narrative.]]>
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