27 David Anointed King

First Samuel chapter 16 provides the record of Samuel anointing David, the son of a Bethlehemite names Jesse as the one who would replace Saul as Israel’s next king.

However, it shows much more than that, as we see the dynamic at play in Israel during unusual times.

For the Lord, the removal monarchy from Saul, and the selection of the next king would be a process which was completely in His timing.

1 God Chooses His King

At the conclusion of the preceding chapter, we see that while the prophet Samuel had refrained from seeing Saul after God’s rejecting him as being king, Samuel still mourned for the king:

1 Samuel 15:35

While the prophet was mourning for the disgraced king, the Lord then revealed to him, that he had a new assignment to attend to:

1 Samuel 16:1-3

In many ways, the Lord had allowed Samuel to feel sorry for Saul, and for himself for a period of time. However, after time, the Lord wanted the prophet to know, that it was time to return to “ministry”.

Samuel was not only concerned about “the man” Saul, but also about what would happen to the nation once the Lord removed the king.

Yet, it had to be greatly comforting for him, when the Lord declared “I have provided Myself a king”.

Just as we often do, Samuel needed the encouragement, that God is in complete control.

Even though Samuel had engaged in a period of mourning for Saul and the nation, the Lord had been busy observing David, a young man who would have been considered as the unlikeliest individual to become the next king.

On the other hand, Saul certainly wouldn’t have been agreeable to someone replacing him on the throne. Therefore, Samuel’s life might have been in danger, if it became know that he was about to anoint a new king.

However, because it was God’s plan, the Lord had a plan to quietly have Samuel anoint the new king, without drawing the attention of Saul or anyone close to him.

Saul had Samuel declare that he would go to the small town of Bethlehem to offer a sacrifice. While it had become less frequent due to Samuel’s age, it wouldn’t have been unusual for him to travel throughout towns in Israel, to offer sacrifices and observe feasts.

The Lord advised Samuel was to go to the home of Jesse and man of the small town of Bethlehem, and anoint one of his sons, (the one whom God would name) as the next king.

So, we see Samuel simply had to receive and act upon the word of the Lord, which is no different than what we’re to do.

God doesn’t leave things up to our abilities, resources, or wisdom, but rather, through His Spirit:

Zechariah 4:6

2 David Anointed as King

Samuel’s new secret mission would be to travel to Bethlehem and to carry out God’s plan to anoint the nation’s next king:

1 Samuel 16:4-5

Even though as judge, prophet, and priest, Samuel certainly had the right to travel throughout the nation, things would have difficult at this time, since Saul was for all intents and purposes, a “lame duck” leader, who would not have looked kindly upon Samuel’s mission, even though it was from the Lord.

It was evident that the elders in Bethlehem, were also disturbed when Samuel arrived, since they asked him “Do you come peaceably?”

Even though Samuel’s hometown of Ramah was only a few miles from Bethlehem, it would have been a difficult journey for Samuel at his age.

But what makes it more interestingly, is that Samuel would have passed through the town of Gibeah, where Saul both lived and had his headquarters.

Saul most likely would have wondered where and why Samuel was passing through his town, especially since they hadn’t communicated since Samuel had declared God’s word regarding removing the kingdom from him. However, it seems that Samuel’s purpose for going to sacrifice at Bethlehem, was of little concern to Saul.

Once at Bethlehem, and after advising the town elders that he had come in peace, Samuel then suggested they consecrate themselves so that they might partake of the feast and sacrifice that would take place.

According to Exodus 19:10-15, “consecrating or sanctifying” oneself would mean to bathe and change clothes.

Samuel then spoke to Jesse and his family, prior to the feast, giving them a special and personal invitation, which would have been the highest honor:

1 Samuel 16:6-13

Because the Lord had advised Samuel, He had chosen the next king from among Jesse’s sons, Samuel had each of the sons pass before him.

Unfortunately, Samuel acted like most of us do, and began looking at the young man through natural eyes, which is seen as when he saw the eldest son, he simply assumed that he was the man the Lord had chosen.

He made the mistake, which many of us do, to look at someone simply by their appearance or reputation.

The Lord, then corrected Samuel’s thinking:

1 Samuel 16:7

As Jesse presented each of his sons before Samuel, the Lord rejected each of them, which certainly confused the elderly prophet:

1 Samuel 16:10b-11

Interestingly, Jesse hadn’t even considered his youngest son David, who was still in the field tending the sheep.

While it appears his father hadn’t even thought of having his son to leave the sheepfold for the great honor of attending this special feast, we have a wonderful glimpse of David’s character, as he remained faithful to carrying out his duties of tending his father’s sheep, which ironically would prepare him for what he would do for much of his adult life, tending God’s sheep.

Samuel then asked Jesse if he had any other sons, and he stated that the youngest was tending the sheep. Samuel then asked to have the young man brought before him. When David arrived, the Lord instructed Samuel to arise and anoint him, as he would be the next king.

Samuel then anointed David before his father and brothers, showing that it was a private ceremony, as the town elders had not yet arrived for the feast.

From the moment David was anointed, God’s Spirit came upon, and remained with him:

1 Samuel 16:13b

Saul had also experienced God’s Spirit coming upon him; however, it was only for a short period. In David’s case, even though he was far from perfect, and committed sins, his heart was never far from the Lord, and God’s Spirit never left him.