When Samuel appeared, he rebuked Saul. Saul confessed his distress, saying, “God has departed from me.” Since the LORD had departed, Saul implored Samuel, “Tell me what to do.” Samuel asked Saul, “Why do you consult me?” The LORD had departed from Saul because he didn’t obey God. Now was the time when God would fulfill his will. He would establish David as king because David was a man after God’s own heart. This was also the time he would hand the Israelites over to the Philistines, and Saul and his sons would be killed. Saul’s persistent disobedience came with consequences for him, his family, and the nation. Samuel prophesied this tragedy.

Upon hearing Samuel’s words, Saul’s strength was gone. He refused to listen, and he refused to eat. Eventually he and his men ate something and went on their way, but Saul was a man apart from God. He was instead filled with fear and ruled by it. This is the real tragedy. If the LORD departs there is no life and no hope—only constant fear. In the LORD and in his word, we have life. Apart from the LORD we have only fear and death.