What was one of the major signs of God's displeasure with Saul?

The withdrawal of God's Spirit from Saul serves as a significant indicator of God's displeasure with him. In the narrative found in 1 Samuel, Saul was initially chosen by God to be king of Israel and was endowed with the Spirit for his kingship. However, as Saul disobeyed God's commands and demonstrated unfaithfulness, particularly in his unauthorized sacrifices and his failure to completely destroy the Amalekites, God regretted making Saul king.

This dissatisfaction culminated in the withdrawal of the Spirit, which signifies a loss of divine favor and guidance, marking a turning point in Saul's reign. It underscores not merely personal failure but the theological implication that Saul was no longer fit to lead God's people. This moment also paves the way for God to choose David as Saul's successor, illustrating the transition from a disobedient king to one who would be after God's own heart.

In contrast, while Saul did experience defeats in battle and a change in how he was perceived by the Philistines and his subjects, the critical turning point is the removal of God's Spirit, highlighting the profound impact of his disobedience and loss of divine approval. Growing wealth does not represent a sign of God's displeasure, nor is it connected to the spiritual aspects