⁹ Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them.^(A) Their protection^(B) has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!”

⁴² Don’t go, because the Lord is not among you and you will be defeated by your enemies. ⁴³ The Amalekites and Canaanites are right in front of you, and you will fall by the sword. The Lord won’t be with you, since you have turned from following Him.”

¹² This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction.^(A) I will no longer be with you unless you remove from you what is set apart.

David in Saul’s Court

¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul,^(A) and an evil spirit sent from the Lord began to torment him,

¹² Saul was afraid of David,^(A) because the Lord was with David^(B) but had left Saul.^(C)

¹⁵ “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Samuel asked Saul.

“I’m in serious trouble,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.^(A) He doesn’t answer me anymore,^(B) either through the prophets or in dreams. So I’ve called on you to tell me what I should do.”

¹⁶ Samuel answered, “Since the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy, why are you asking me?

² So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The Lord is with you^(A) when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you,^(B) but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.^(C)