What other biblical figures experienced fear due to God's presence with someone else? Saul’s uneasy heart (1 Samuel 18:12) “Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.” The king could feel the very thing he once enjoyed now resting on another man, and dread filled him. Scripture records several other moments when that same holy presence on someone provoked fear in those watching. Echoes in the patriarchs: kings disturbed by divine favor • Genesis 21:22–23 – Abimelech approaches Abraham: “God is with you in all that you do.” He seeks a sworn pact, eager to stay on the good side of the God who so obviously backs His servant. • Genesis 26:26–29 – A later Abimelech returns to Isaac: “We saw plainly that the LORD has been with you… let us make a covenant.” The treaty is fear-management in diplomatic clothing. • Genesis 31:42 – Laban admits that Jacob’s God restrained him from harm; the recognition keeps him cautious and conciliatory. Oppressors turned anxious: Egypt and the exodus • Exodus 1:12 – “The Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.” The more God multiplied the people, the more their captors trembled. • Exodus 8:19 – Magicians confess, “This is the finger of God,” conceding defeat before Moses’ God-given power. • Exodus 14:25 – As the Red Sea churns, Egyptians cry, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD fights for them!” Terror drives their retreat. Conquest shockwaves: Canaanite hearts melt • Numbers 22:2–3 – Balak sees Israel’s victories and “Moab was terrified.” • Joshua 2:9–11 – Rahab tells the spies, “The terror of you has fallen on us… our hearts have melted.” It is really terror of the God who marches with them. • Joshua 5:1 – Amorite and Canaanite kings lose courage once they hear how the LORD dried up the Jordan. Prophetic encounters: glory that unsettles • Exodus 34:30 – Aaron and the people “were afraid to come near” Moses when his face shone with God’s glory. • 1 Kings 18 – After fire falls at Carmel, the people fall facedown before Elijah’s God, the prophets of Baal tremble, and wicked Ahab hurries home. • 2 Kings 1:13–15 – A third captain falls on his knees before Elijah, pleading for mercy after two earlier squads were consumed by heavenly fire. Ark, thunder, and anointed kings • 1 Samuel 4:7 – Philistines panic: “A god has come into the camp!” when the ark arrives. • 1 Samuel 12:18 – At Samuel’s call, thunder crashes; “all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.” • 1 Chronicles 14:17 – “The LORD brought the fear of [David] upon all nations.” God’s presence on David created international intimidation. • 2 Chronicles 17:10 – Surrounding kingdoms “did not make war with Jehoshaphat” because “the dread of the LORD fell on them.” New Testament glimpses • Mark 6:20 – “Herod feared John, knowing he was a righteous and holy man,” sensing God’s hand on the prophet. • Acts 5:11–13 – After Ananias and Sapphira fall dead, “great fear came upon the whole church,” and outsiders “dared not join them,” awed by the apostolic authority God displayed. Take-home reflections • Whenever God visibly backs a person, even hardened opponents feel it. • Fear can drive foes to treaties (Abimelech), oppression (Egypt), or outright flight (Canaanites). • The same presence that comforts God’s people unsettles those who resist Him. • Throughout Scripture, the pattern stands: the LORD’s nearness to His servants is both their shield and their enemies’ terror. |
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