Posted on Jul 10, 2014
For my Bible scholars, I would like to engage you with a discussion on who had PTSD in the Bible.
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Saul and David as traumatized warrior kings.
Saul committed atrocities, flew into violent rages,
turned against David and other friends, murdered
priests and holy women. We are told, “The spirit
of God left him, and an evil spirit sent by the Lord
tormented him.” (Samuel 16:14). Traditional cultures
have always known of this wound. They
understood that the wound was also spiritual,
moral and holistic in its essence. For example, the
Sioux people called the wound “the spirits leave
him.” The Xhosa of South Africa call it kanene,
which is, according to paratroop veteran Roger
Brooke, a Duquesne University professor of psychology,
“the warrior’s insight into the depth and
burden that follows him — like your shadow that
always follows you and reminds you of what you
have done.”
Saul committed atrocities, flew into violent rages,
turned against David and other friends, murdered
priests and holy women. We are told, “The spirit
of God left him, and an evil spirit sent by the Lord
tormented him.” (Samuel 16:14). Traditional cultures
have always known of this wound. They
understood that the wound was also spiritual,
moral and holistic in its essence. For example, the
Sioux people called the wound “the spirits leave
him.” The Xhosa of South Africa call it kanene,
which is, according to paratroop veteran Roger
Brooke, a Duquesne University professor of psychology,
“the warrior’s insight into the depth and
burden that follows him — like your shadow that
always follows you and reminds you of what you
have done.”
Posted in these groups: 
PTSD
PTSD
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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Ma'am, thank you for sharing this. It's simply AMAZING how a story you think you know so well can change completely just by changing the perspective.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
MSG Huffman:
Blessings to all of you, and it is amazing that all of the things that Soldiers go through David and his men went through the same struggles.
Blessings to all of you, and it is amazing that all of the things that Soldiers go through David and his men went through the same struggles.
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I am a former Licensed Professional Counselor and follower of Jesus Christ since 1955. I have always practiced holistic counseling based on the work of Paul Tournier, A Swiss MD and Christian in the 20th century. PTSD is a mental illness. A right relationship with one's Creator is always an issue. Do not be to quick to see a spiritual component in a mental illness. If I as a born-again Christian and was in a war zone I could probably be effected by that experience to the point of suffering from PTSD. Of course my faith would not play a part in causing or preventing my mental illness and my PTSD would not be caused my the Spirit of God leaving me. Just the opposite, it would be part of the treatment. My faith does not protect me from the flu as well.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
LTJG Bouysou:
David in the Bible went through a dark time as well, when he thought that God had abandoned him. Sir, respectfully I am a Chaplain and I bring this out to the open for many times our Soldiers are dealing with moral injury.
David in the Bible went through a dark time as well, when he thought that God had abandoned him. Sir, respectfully I am a Chaplain and I bring this out to the open for many times our Soldiers are dealing with moral injury.
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LTJG Daniel Bouysou
Chaplains are a very important part of the military, but you are just as responsible to God, as any believer, to use the Word of God in way that best represents what is says. Elijah, as you know, was depressed to the point of wanting to throw in the towel.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
LTJG Bouysou:
You bring up a valid point, and many times we think that God has abandoned us, when he hasn't. You are absolutely correct the Spirit of God is with us even when we feel he has left.
You bring up a valid point, and many times we think that God has abandoned us, when he hasn't. You are absolutely correct the Spirit of God is with us even when we feel he has left.
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I had never thought about Saul having PTSD. That is a very interesting concept. It would explain a great deal about his attempts to kill David.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis I think the biggest difference is how Saul and David dealt with the trauma. King Saul had roots of bitterness and anger take hold in his heart, I think in itself, that is a tormenting spirit. King David clung to God and found help and relief in the Lord.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
LCPL Wininger:
Thank you for your kind words of support, when I was a Hospital Chaplain I would share the stories of David being a combat veteran. When you look at the Psalms you can see how he was struggling with depression.
Thank you for your kind words of support, when I was a Hospital Chaplain I would share the stories of David being a combat veteran. When you look at the Psalms you can see how he was struggling with depression.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
Ma'am, the Psalms help me tremendously when I struggle wit depression. I love to read about King David and all he had to overcome. I can relate to him on many levels. David's stories are a reminder of who our help is in times of great depression and struggle.
When My estranged wife and I first separated, Psalm 121 gave me great comfort. I had slipped away from God and the Psalm I mentioned reminded me that there is help, and all I have to do is look up and ask for it.
When My estranged wife and I first separated, Psalm 121 gave me great comfort. I had slipped away from God and the Psalm I mentioned reminded me that there is help, and all I have to do is look up and ask for it.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
CW2 Ernest Krutzsch Noah's story is also inspirational, as well as the Entire book of Daniel. However, I can relate to King David's stories on a more personal level.
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Just to clarify ma'am...you aren't saying that current warriors deal with PTSD because the spirit of God left them...right?
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SGT Mitch McKinley
I can definitely agree with that.
And I wasn't assuming that the Chaplain was saying that. I just wanted to clarify. With the introduction of scripture to illustrate a point, people can misinterpret the intent or direction.
And I wasn't assuming that the Chaplain was saying that. I just wanted to clarify. With the introduction of scripture to illustrate a point, people can misinterpret the intent or direction.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SGT Mitch McKinley - By all means no. And I am sure she will tell you that too, And if you need a person to talk to, she is there for people.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
SGT McKinley:
Absolutely not, I have full blown PTSD, and that is why I try to bring awareness and to let everyone know if you need someone to talk to in box me. Do not be ashamed and you are definitely not alone.
Absolutely not, I have full blown PTSD, and that is why I try to bring awareness and to let everyone know if you need someone to talk to in box me. Do not be ashamed and you are definitely not alone.
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SGT Mitch McKinley
Understood. I am one of the fortunate ones that doesn't have to deal with the affects of PTSD. I am blessed in that, but I also know many who do, that consider it a blessing as well.
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This may be why Numbers 31:19 commands anyone who shed blood in war to remain outside the camp for seven days. It gave them time to calm down from hyper vigilance and pray for personal peace.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis,
Yes, I agree, that King David most likely suffered from PTSD, never thought of some of his actions/reactions in that light before.
Yes, I agree, that King David most likely suffered from PTSD, never thought of some of his actions/reactions in that light before.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
I am a VA Hospital Chaplain and I talk about David in the Bible and how he struggled with depression.
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I thought it was interesting the "Cleansing" process and time involved for warrior returning after spilling blood before they were considered "Clean" again. There may be something to that.
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It wasn't so much PTSD that bothered Saul, but that evil spirit that tormented him. He also had David who played the harp for him to sooth his spirit. Then Saul threw the spear at him and David had to flee. I think David must have wound up with PTSD due to Saul pursuing him everywhere he went trying to kill him.
Think of Moses and all his dealings with Pharaoh and then leading three million plus Jews from Egypt to the land God promised them with the Jews grumbling all the way. And what was worse, they rebelled and God made them wander in the wilderness for forty years. Moses had to wind up with PTSD!
Think of Moses and all his dealings with Pharaoh and then leading three million plus Jews from Egypt to the land God promised them with the Jews grumbling all the way. And what was worse, they rebelled and God made them wander in the wilderness for forty years. Moses had to wind up with PTSD!
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