שמואל א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק י״ד

The breaking point in Saul's reign marks a profound shift in leadership, as a deep spiritual void opens within the king's mind and is quickly replaced by intense anxiety and suffering. The unique royal spirit that previously rested upon him departs, taking with it the spiritual abundance, bravery, wisdom, and fear of God that he once possessed [מלבי״ם]. This loss occurs at the exact moment David is anointed as the next king, because it is impossible for two monarchs to hold the same divine spirit of leadership at the same time [אברבנאל, אלשיך].

Once Saul's soul is emptied of this divine presence, the void is immediately filled by a heavy cloud of sadness, darkness, and deep worry [מלבי״ם]. He is gripped by overwhelming anxiety and trembling [מצודת ציון], ultimately losing his clarity of mind [רד״ק]. This affliction manifests as a form of madness [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, this dark state is not necessarily an external mystical force, but rather a severe physical and mental depression. The illness is fueled by Saul's obsessive thoughts that God has abandoned him and torn the kingdom away from him, forcing him to live in a state of constant fear [אברבנאל].

This suffering is brought upon Saul directly by God. It is not a random occurrence, but a deliberate punishment for his past sins [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. A complementary perspective suggests that the affliction is attributed to God because the illness stems directly from Saul's agonizing realization that God has distanced Himself from him [אברבנאל]. Beyond serving as a consequence, this sudden onset of terror and confusion serves a highly practical purpose. God sends this mental anguish to distract Saul, ensuring he becomes entirely consumed with finding a musician to ease his pain. As a result, the king is too preoccupied to investigate Samuel's secret journey to Bethlehem, thereby saving both Samuel and the newly anointed David from mortal danger [אלשיך].