Did the Holy Spirit abandon Saul?

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If the Spirit of God had abandoned Saul, then why did David's playing comfort Saul?

1Sa 16:23 And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

There is no "if" about it. Only the illiterate deny it. The Holy Spirit is not the only thing that will depart a man.

Holy Spirit Departing From Saul

Not only the Holy Spirit, but God Himself had also departed from Saul (1Sam. 18:12). The same was true of Samson -- God departed from him (Judg. 16:20).

Six Divine Things Can Depart From Man:

1. God Himself (1Sam. 18:12; 28:15-16; Judg. 16:20; Hos. 9:12)

2. The Holy Spirit (1Sam. 16:14; Ps. 51:11)

3. God's glory (1Sam. 4:21-22; Ezek. 10:18)

4. God's Word (Dt. 4:9; Prov. 3:21; 4:21; Heb. 2:1, notes)

5. God's soul (Jer. 6:8; Heb. 10:38-39)

6. God's mercy (2Sam. 7:15)
Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.


Transfer of Spirits

In contrast with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David from that day forward (1Sam. 16:13), the same Holy Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit troubled him (1Sam. 16:14). This is evidence again that one who returns to sin may lose the Holy Spirit. Saul lost Him after having Him on his life for several years (1Sam. 10:6,9-13; 11:6; 13:1). David believed such was possible, for he prayed for God not to take the Spirit from him (Ps. 51:11). Lucifer, fallen angels, demons, Adam and Eve, and many others are examples of sin causing one to lose what he has been given by the Lord.

Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.
 
There is no "if" about it. Only the illiterate deny it. The Holy Spirit is not the only thing that will depart a man.

Holy Spirit Departing From Saul

Not only the Holy Spirit, but God Himself had also departed from Saul (1Sam. 18:12). The same was true of Samson -- God departed from him (Judg. 16:20).

Six Divine Things Can Depart From Man:

1. God Himself (1Sam. 18:12; 28:15-16; Judg. 16:20; Hos. 9:12)

2. The Holy Spirit (1Sam. 16:14; Ps. 51:11)

3. God's glory (1Sam. 4:21-22; Ezek. 10:18)

4. God's Word (Dt. 4:9; Prov. 3:21; 4:21; Heb. 2:1, notes)

5. God's soul (Jer. 6:8; Heb. 10:38-39)

6. God's mercy (2Sam. 7:15)
Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.


Transfer of Spirits

In contrast with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David from that day forward (1Sam. 16:13), the same Holy Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit troubled him (1Sam. 16:14). This is evidence again that one who returns to sin may lose the Holy Spirit. Saul lost Him after having Him on his life for several years (1Sam. 10:6,9-13; 11:6; 13:1). David believed such was possible, for he prayed for God not to take the Spirit from him (Ps. 51:11). Lucifer, fallen angels, demons, Adam and Eve, and many others are examples of sin causing one to lose what he has been given by the Lord.

Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.

1. Well. You just listed a truth that you're ignoring. You listed #3 as a viable option for the way "departed" can be applied in these situations. Why did you list it and then deny the possibility this happened to Saul? Your list is self defeating.

2. You also referenced Dake's commentary wherein a sinful man (Dake) references others losing the Spirit without any consideration for his own sin! You're doing the same. If sin causes the Holy Spirit to leave God's children, then you must consider your position. Have you, because of your own sin, lost the Spirit of God. In like manner, did King David lose the Spirit of God because of his sin during the same age as King Saul and in like manner?

Self reflection and honestly dealing with our own sin is important to understanding the Scriptures. It would seem you do not apply the same standards to yourself as you do to others.

BTW, Dake is horrible source for commentary. He was a 'Assemblies of God' minster that ignored his own sin to preach that OTHERS could lose the Spirit of God.
 
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