The Spirit’s Presence

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord came to people or groups when God gave them a task or chose them for a role. The Spirit empowered judges like Othniel, Gideon, and Jephthah for their duties (Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29). Saul and David received the Spirit of God when anointed as kings (1 Samuel 10:1, 9–10; 16:13).

The Spirit left when the task ended or the person lost their role. When Samuel anointed David as the next king, the Spirit left Saul (16:13, 14). This was because he was disobedient and God rejected him as king (13:7–14; 15:10–29; compare 28:15; Judges 16:20). After David sinned with Bathsheba, he prayed to avoid the same judgment, "take not Your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:11).

In the New Testament, God's Holy Spirit is given to everyone who trusts in Jesus for salvation, not just to those in specific roles (see Acts 2:14–21; 1 Corinthians 12:1–13; Ephesians 1:13–14). The Spirit helps God's servants do the work they are called to do (see 1 Corinthians 12:7–10). The Old Testament story of the Spirit leaving Saul shows why the New Testament warns against sinning against the Spirit and causing him sorrow (see Mark 3:28–29; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 6:1–8).

Passages for Further Study

Genesis 41:37–40; Exodus 31:1–6; Judges 3:9–11; Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 14:5–6; Judges 16:20–21; 1 Samuel 10:1–10; 1 Samuel 11:6–7; 1 Samuel 16:13–23; 1 Samuel 19:19–23; 2 Chronicles 20:13–19; 2 Chronicles 24:20–22; Psalm 51:11–12; Isaiah 11:1–5; Jeremiah 31:33–34; Joel 2:28–29; Mark 3:28–29; Acts 2:1–21; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 6:4–8