David Anointed as King

Saul had disobeyed God, but his refusal to admit his sin was the biggest problem, as I John 1:8-10 tells us.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  

 

Saul’s refusal to admit his guilt was a definite rejection of God and his authority, and Samuel could no longer work closely with him, even though he had been chosen by God as the leader of Israel.  God told Samuel not to let his concern for Saul to distract him from following the Lord, in I Samuel 15:35-16:1.  “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.  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.” 

 

Because of Saul’s sin, God wanted Samuel to anoint David as the next king. Samuel knew that Saul was very selfish and would get angry at losing his authority.  He asked God for guidance to keep from being killed, in I Samuel 16:2-3.  “And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.  And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.”

 

The people knew about the separation between Saul and Samuel, and remembered Saul’s determination to have his own way, even to the point of ordering the execution of his own son.  When Samuel came to Bethlehem, the people were afraid of what Saul might do.   Samuel asked the men to participate in a feast to the Lord, in I Samuel 16:4-5.  “And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?  And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.”

 

God had told Samuel that the next King was to be one of Jesse’s sons, and Samuel was observing them, trying to guess which one it was.  God made it very clear that his choice was not based on the things people normally look at, in I Samuel 16:6-7.  “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.  But the LORD said unto Samuel, 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.”

 

Unfortunately, people still frequently look for the wrong things in choosing a leader, whether political or religious.  We get wrapped up in his education, their appearance, and their ability to raise money and motivate people while God is more concerned with their heart attitude. None of the seven who were present were the ones God had chosen, as we see in I Samuel 16:8-10.  “Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. “

 

God had told Samuel one of Jesse’s sons was the one he had chosen.  When none of those present were selected, Samuel asked if there were any other sons.  Jesse Said that because he was so young, they had left the youngest to take care of the sheep while the older ones went to the feast.  When he was brought in, God told Samuel this was the right one, in I Samuel 16:11-12.  “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.  And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.”

 

Though David seemed an unlikely successor to Saul, Samuel believed God when he told him to anoint him as king, acting without question, in I Samuel a6:13.  “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.”