Often the Fear or Dread of the LORD causes weakness and distress among the peoples being visited (Psalm 105.37-38; Exodus 14-15), but not always.  We know that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9.10) and knowledge (Proverbs 1.7).

In 1 Samuel 11, the anointed-but-not-yet-crowned King Saul hears the news of the men of Jabesh, fellow countrymen in distress.  “And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words…” causing him to send a gruesome message of dismembered oxen parts throughout the territory of Israel.

“Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man.” Three hundred thousand warriors responded within six days, and the God-assisted forces of Saul force struck down the Ammonites.

Note that the Spirit of God is not just about dismembering and striking down. At the end of the chapter when some of Saul’s supporters are seeking vengeance on their brothers who had previously doubted Saul’s abilities, Saul graciously declares, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.”