Once before, at his anointing, Saul had joined with the prophets, and his sincerity of purpose brought about a transformation of heart (ch. 10:5-11). Now, his wrath was again restrained and he was given clear evidence that God was protecting David. Josephus says, “He was disordered in mind, and under the vehement agitation of a spirit; and, putting off his garments, he fell down, and lay on the ground all that day and night, in the presence of Samuel and David” (Antiquities vi. 11. 5).

 The word thus translated may mean completely naked (Job 1:21), ragged or poorly clothed (Job 22:6; 24:7, 10; Isa. 58:7), or, possibly clad in a tunic, the mantle itself laid aside (cf. Isa. 20:2). Here, it is probably used in the latter sense; in other words, Saul laid aside his royal robe and was clothed only in his tunic, an inner garment commonly worn at home. On the street the outer robe, or cloak, was usually worn over it. By removing his royal robe Saul would probably be dressed more nearly like one of the students in the school.

 Perhaps here the Holy Spirit pleaded with Saul personally for the last time. There may have come from his lips not only a confession of the justice of David’s cause but also condemnation of his own willful acts. In the final judgment day the great adversary of souls will admit the justice of God’s great plan of salvation and the error of his own ways (see Phil. 2:10, 11). But the old jealousies and enmities will return and break forth in one great final expression of hatred and fury (see GC 671, 672). Thus it was with Saul in his animosity toward David. Returning once more, the evil spirit that had controlled him so long found his heart empty of the grace of God and took an even more firm hold of him than before (see Matt. 12:44, 45).