In First Samuel, chapter eleven, verse six, the assurance of the empowering of the Spirit spoken by Samuel at Saul’s anointing as king is present. Saul, as king, gave the same kind of military leadership against Israel’s enemies as the judges did. One dimension of the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer is genuine anger at sin and the mistreatment of others. Jesus Himself expressed such anger at immoral activity and evil on several occasions.
Nothing, perhaps, could have moved Saul so sad as this news respecting the distress of Jabesh-Gilead. He was affected not merely by the disgrace to Israel over which the Eternal had so lately directed him to be anointed king but by the sore peril which menaced the ancient friend and ally of his tribe. In the heart of Saul, the preparation for action, the Holy Spirit fell and endued him with extraordinary wisdom, bravery, and power for the great and hard work which lay before him.
We read of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon men like Othniel in Judges chapter three, verse ten, and the other great Israelitic judges, who receive elevation to be in their day the deliverers of the people. The immediate result of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon them was to impart new and unusual power to their inner being, the power that enables them successfully to surmount every danger and difficulty which barred the progress of the great work they were specially called upon to do.
When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon men, it will make them experts, even without experience. When having a zeal for the glory of God, and love for the brethren, urge men to earnest efforts, and when God is pleased to help, an enormous effect will produce that surpasses our expectations.