1 Samuel 18:12
ESV
Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.
NIV
Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.
NASB
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had left Saul.
CSB
Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul.
NLT
Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul.
KJV
And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.
NKJV
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul.
What does 1 Samuel 18:12 mean?
Saul never seems jealous of David for being younger, more skilled, better loved, better in battle than he is. His resentment isn't petty: he is not worried that David will steal the spotlight of attention and admiration, itself. Instead, Saul is driven by fear that David will take the throne and kingdom away from him (1 Samuel 18:8). When Saul reacts poorly to David's growing reputation, it's angst over the impending end of his own rule.This is, in fact, a reasonable concern. The Lord stopped being with Saul and started to be with David. The Lord had removed his Holy Spirit from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14) and had caused it to rush on David (1 Samuel 16:12–13). God had spoken through Samuel, telling Saul that had been rejected as Israel's king. God would give the kingdom to someone else (1 Samuel 15:23–28). Saul fears David because he seems to know that David is his replacement and will eventually be the king instead of him or his son.
