John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 16:14

"Now the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him." — 1 Samuel 16:14 (ASV)

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul
As a spirit of prophecy as at first, as a spirit of wisdom and prudence in civil government, and as a spirit of fortitude and courage, as the Targum.

and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him ;
the reverse of the former, which by the permission of God, and as a punishment to him for his sins, came upon him; he seemed to be a demoniac, as Josephus represents ^F9 him, as if possessed with the devil; by whom he was almost suffocated and strangled, as well as was distracted in his counsels, and became weak and foolish; lost all courage and greatness of mind, was timorous and fearful, and alarmed by everything, and was full of envy, suspicion, rage, and despair.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F9: Antiqu. l. 6. c. 8. sect. 2.