ADULTS SEARCH LESSON 211 DAVID ANOINTED AS KING
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:13).
TEXT: 1 Samuel 16:1-23
The previous chapter ends on a sad note with God’s rejection of Saul as king and Samuel’s severance of relationship with him. Though he separated from Saul, Samuel still mourned at the negative turn of events. He manifested a godly attitude that should characterise every true believer when a fellow child of God falls into sin (2 Samuel 1:5-27; Micah 7:8). However, God dissuaded him from grieving any further with instruction to proceed to Jesse’s house to anoint the successor to the throne. Since the failure of one person cannot hinder the progress of His work on earth, leaders must seek the face of God to appoint a replacement whenever such need arises (Acts 1:15-26).
In the chapter under study, God guided Samuel to anoint David as king. The details of this transition in Israel’s leadership show the superiority of God’s wisdom over man’s judgment, and how He chooses the lowly and the despised to fulfil His purpose (Psalm 75:6,7). God chose David, an unlikely and unexpected candidate, to become Israel’s next king; and by the end of the chapter, the shepherd boy had grown to become a valiant warrior who could also use his gift to relieve Saul of his spiritual affliction.
- GOD COMMISSIONS SAMUEL TO ANOINT JESSE’S SON (1 Samuel 16:1-10; Psalm 147:11; Isaiah 55:8,9; John 7:24)
“And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons” (1 Samuel 16:1).
Samuel expressed fear about Saul’s reaction if he heard about the divine act instruction. Though it was treasonable to appoint another king while the incumbent was still reigning, Samuel was only sent to anoint David privately and not to coronate him publicly. David’s anointing at this time was symbolic of God’s choice and served the purpose of setting him apart, as well as to endue him with power for service. The anointing was not intended to set David on the throne immediately but a token of divine covenant and revelation that he had an important responsibility to carry out in future.
To allay Samuel’s fear, God instructed him to take a heifer and call Jesse to the sacrifice. He went to Bethlehem and did as God instructed him. When God sends us on errands, He takes care of the consequences and of our lives.
After the offering, Jesse brought his sons, as Samuel requested. The first son was Eliab. His stature was similar to Saul’s and probably made Samuel to conclude that “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him”. But God said, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:6,7). Servants of God must learn to hear from Him in the discharge of their spiritual assignments.
Like Samuel, people are prone to making choices based on physical or outward qualities, skills or intellectual capabilities, but God places emphasis on the condition of the heart. Only He can reveal what is in the mind of a person. He knows the intentions, thoughts and state of every heart. Therefore, there is need to pray and depend upon the Lord for guidance whenever we want to choose people for any assignment in the church. In the choice of workers, marriage and business partners, we should emphasise spiritual qualities and pray for God’s guidance. Most people cover their inward unfitness with impressive outward appearances. Rather than place emphasis on educational qualifications, exceptional skills, appearance, oratory and other outward qualities, we should allow God to show us the state of the heart and its hidden qualities of faith, humility and yielded disposition (1 Peter 3:3,4; Jeremiah 17:9,10).
We learn from Samuel’s mistake that no level of spiritual growth precludes the possibility of error in judgment. No doubt, he was old and experienced in spiritual matters. He was used to receiving and transmitting messages from God before this event. On this occasion however, he would have poured the anointing oil on the wrong head if God had not corrected him. The lessons from this are obvious: every Christian must remain humble and never overestimate the soundness of their personal assessment of others. Spiritual leaders should also be assisted in prayers so that they would be guided to make right decisions at all times. If we judge by outward appearance alone, we may inadvertently choose those whom God has rejected or overlook those He has chosen.
Note also that God is omniscient and infallible. He “refused” Eliab based on His accurate knowledge of his life and heart. We should prioritise on the transformation of our inner attitudes because they matter to God more than our outward posture and carriage.
- GOD CORRECTS SAMUEL AND GUIDES HIM TO ANOINT DAVID (1 Samuel 16:11-13; 1 Kings 1:39; 19:16; 2 Kings 9:3; 11:12; Psalm 89:20-37; Hebrews 1:9)
Jesse assembled seven of his sons before Samuel, leaving out David. When none of these was chosen, Samuel inquired if he had another son. The answer showed that he did not reckon with David as being considered by God for any divine assignment. This proves that God’s ways are different from man’s. Samuel then commanded David to be brought from the field where he tended the flock. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah“ (1 Samuel 16:13).
The practice of anointing individuals before they assume kingship roles is common in the Old Testament. It is believed that it is a token of the transference of divine virtues and the impartation of the Spirit of God on the one so anointed. This gave rise to the profound reverence for the king as a sacred personage (2 Samuel 1:14). Several instances abound (1 Kings 1:39; 19:16; 2 Kings 9:3, etc.).
David’s anointing plays up a number of truths. First, he was the last born of the family but God preferred him to his elder brothers. The Lord’s choice is not always according to rank or position of birth, but in line with His own principles. Second, the seven sons had their good qualities and talents but God did not choose them. Age and natural talents are not sufficient when it comes to spiritual service. Third, David was engaged in a very humble duty and did nothing by way of campaign for kingship. God promotes the humble. We must not solicit or struggle for position in the church. Fourth, the anointing of David at this time took place long before he ascended the throne. Fifth, David’s anointing here was not the final one; it had three phases: the initial, private one in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:12,13), his anointing as king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4) and the one over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). Believers should not be inflamed with pride because of their initial spiritual promotion and manifestation of God’s hand on their lives. Greater things will come if they remain humble, obedient and focused on God. And, sixth, many of God’s generals are often anointed privately before their public commission.
3. GOD EMPOWERS DAVID FOR SERVICE (1 Samuel 16:14-23; 2 Chronicles 20:21-24; Acts 16:25,26)
After David’s anointing, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him to empower him for his future roles. In contrast, the Spirit of God departed from Saul and an evil spirit troubled him. Like Samson, when the Lord left him, he became powerless and exposed to torment by the enemy. It is a tragedy when a leader forfeits the presence and power of God and has to struggle in the flesh to keep on in ministry. Though Saul’s condition was frightening, David was called to minister before him. He was not afraid of the difficult assignment because the Lord was with him.
Lack of prompt acknowledgment, confession of sin and repentance opened the door for demonic oppression in Saul’s life. He was plagued with guilt, fear of discontinuation of kingship in his lineage and of his sins being exposed. Despite the divine sentence against him, he was more concerned with retaining honour before the people than obtaining God’s forgiveness and approval (1 Samuel 15:30). Believers must avoid this kind of hypocritical attitude that leads to divine rejection and damnation.
Meanwhile, the servants of Saul suggested an immediate remedy for the torment of their master. They proposed the use of music to soothe and relieve him anytime the evil spirit tormented him. It shows that people of old recognised the therapeutic effect of good music. Godly music has healing power; it refreshes and edifies while sinful music has evil influence and promotes sensuality and sin. Nebuchadnezzar used such music to promote idol worship while David, Jehoshaphat, Elisha, Paul and Silas employed godly music for great spiritual accomplishments. Believers are encouraged to use music to minister grace and transformation in a positive way (2 Kings 3:14,15; 2 Chronicles 20:21-24; Acts 16:25,26; Colossians 3:16).
”And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me” (1 Samuel 16:17). Consequently, one of the servants recommended David, whom Saul eventually loved and retained to become his armourbearer. Thus, David progressed from being a mere rural shepherd boy to a palace hero. His gift made a way for him and his training for kingship was on course (Proverbs 18:16).
The description of David, at this time, indicated that he had grown and developed physically in skill and grace since his initial anointing by Samuel. He was described as skilful in music, a mighty man of valour, a man of war, prudent, handsome and had the presence of God with him. Above all, God said he was a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
Questions for review:
- What can believers learn from Samuel’s disposition towards Saul and God’s instruction to him?
- Why is it necessary to pray and be guided by God when choosing people for important assignments?
- Point out some lessons from the anointing of David.
- Why is it dangerous to continue in disobedience without repenting?
- Why should a believer surrender his talents to be used within the body of Christ?
- From our text and other Scriptures, state the benefits of godly music.
- What do believers learn from the life and service of David during his days in Saul’s palace?
