שמואל א, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ״ט

David’s continuous string of successes stands in stark contrast to the fading blessing in King Saul’s life. This dynamic triggers a severe and ongoing decline in the king's mental state, breeding a deep, obsessive hostility. Saul's fear of David steadily grows [רש"י, מצודת ציון]. This escalating dread is fueled directly by the reality he witnesses: David succeeds in every endeavor, while Saul himself is trapped in a painful downward spiral [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

As a result, the situation deteriorates further, turning Saul into a permanent enemy. This hostility is not a passing mood or an occasional feeling of anger; rather, it is a constant, unrelenting hatred and terror that haunts the king at every moment [מלבי"ם]. Tragically, this intense enmity is completely disconnected from logic or reality. David never displays the slightest intention of seizing the throne. Yet, the obsessive fear of losing his kingdom refuses to leave Saul, endlessly tormenting his mind [ביאור שטיינזלץ].