And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and the LORD had departed from Saul — the reversal in *va'yirah Shaul mipney David* articulates the theological core: Saul fears David not because of David's strength but because of the divine presence with David. The *atah YHWH ito*, the LORD was with him, is the source of David's invulnerability; no spear can harm the one whom the LORD protects. Conversely, *v'YHWH sar mehem*, the LORD had departed from him, leaves Saul spiritually naked, exposed to the *ruach ra'a* that fills the vacuum. The departure of God's presence is the ultimate spiritual catastrophe, the loss of covenant relationship.

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