Judges 9:22-23 After Abimelech had governed Israel three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who acted treacherously against Abimelech.
See also 1 Samuel 18:10 & story of Job
PERSONAL COMMENTARY
Many modern day Christians believe this concept, which has several Old Testament references and even demonstrated through the life of Judas in the New Testament, is not in the character of God. Remember, it is not up to us to define God the way we want him to be.
The UnHoly Bible 
July 26th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
But if you read on it tells why. Why would anyone think that this is against God’s nature? He sent an evil spirit between to evil parties and they became enemies. Seems to be within God’s framework.
And in the case of Saul, he was disobedient and God’s Spirit left him and was replaced with an evil one (1Samuel 16:14). The pattern is very conspicuous. Evil man, evil spirit.
It’s not much different than Matt 12:43-45. The fact that their “place” is unoccupied by God. Why did God leave Saul? Was it God’s fault or Saul’s? I think it is reaching to say that God is wrong here.
Why are the people you are reading into trying to change God in to a big massive Ora of loving light? Sounds like a Hyper-Charismatic approach.
In the case of Job, even Job says,”Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” then the Bible says that no sin was found on his lips. God proved Satan a liar by proving himself right in that Job was blameless and didn’t curse God. Then Job turned out more blessed in the end because of it. Not bad for a spin around the track in God’s school of hard knocks. Anyone who sees different is seeing God as a means and not the glorious end that he is.
God could have just provided rain on the land for Jacob and his sons in Genesis to keep Joseph from going through all that he went through, but Joseph turned out less spoiled and Israel more blessed. Most true Christians don’t look at the lessons of God resentfully, but wear them as a crown. When we can start asking why people are still walking around with there hands, feet and eyes (Mark 9: 43,45,47), then we are understanding God’s righteous judgement, and we most likely won’t need to lose our hands, feet, or eyes in order to serve God free from the bondage of sin, because we’ll know what it is that truly needs to be severed (Luke 9:24).
Matthew 7:18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.”
Maybe I misunderstand this post but I don’t see a discrepancy with it and God’s character.
Peace be with you,
Sam