7198. 'And also I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel' means their distress arising from conflict. This is clear from the meaning of 'the groaning' as distress arising from conflict; and from the representation of 'the children of Israel' as those belonging to the spiritual Church, who are molested by falsities and therefore involved in conflict.

Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel when the people insisted on having a king. Like all the kings, both good and bad, he represents the Lord, especially the idea of the Lord expressed in ways that the wise can understand. This seems contrary, because Saul turned evil as his reign went on, and many of the kings that followed were far worse. Because they were anointed with oil, which represents the Lord's pure, infinite love, they could represent the expression of that love even though they were personally evil. At specific points, however, the representation can turn into the exact opposite. In Saul's case, this was when he was taken over by his evil moods, the foul humors that caused him to try to kill both David and his own son, Jonathan. In those moments Saul represents false ideas that attack and try to destroy the idea of the Lord.