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Question: A harmful spirit from the Lord? What?

Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre (1 Samuel 19:9 ESV). What? A harmful spirit....from the Lord?
Yes ... well ...

It just doesn't seem right, eh?

In this setting, the harmful spirit was allowed by the Lord. When it says "from the Lord," it does not mean that the Lord purposely created something harmful to get Saul to be evil. These things are often happening or trying to. When it reaches into the life of someone who "love[s] God and [is] called according to [His] purpose," God will permit it if it will accomplish His purpose of conforming that one into the image of His beloved Son (Romans 8:28). David was hunted by Saul as this jealousy continued on, but in his exile, he trained up mighty men from the outcasts of Israel. He learned to be the humble servant-king that he was anointed to be.

This harmful spirit was "from the Lord," allowed by the Lord, but also permitted by Saul. If Saul was not also choosing to open himself up to jealousy and rage against David, no other spirit could have forced him to act that way.

Remember the hardening of Pharoah's heart? It happened at first by Pharoah (Exodus 8:32) and then on top of that by the Lord (9:12). We have our will, but the Lord has His will as well.
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