And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. (1 Samuel 18:10)
What a contrast between these two men! Actuated by jealous fury, Saul grasped his javelin with deliberate design to slay David. David, probably sensing danger and realizing the cause of Saul’s passion, held his harp, with which he sought to relieve the king’s mental tension.
He prophesied.
Perhaps, “he raved” (RSV). The verb form that occurs here, though it is often used of true prophecy, may also refer to the mutterings of false prophets. Saul’s ecstatic frenzy was due to a spirit of violent passion, perhaps with the hope of impressing his courtiers with his holiness.