David was anointed as king in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
1 Samuel 16:1-13
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. 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 shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 16:1-13
How is the story interpreted in the Bible in which David was anointed king?
The passage from 1 Samuel 16:1-13 in the Bible, which describes the anointing of David as king, is rich with themes and interpretations. Here are a few key points and how they are often interpreted:
- God’s Rejection of Saul and Choice of David: This story marks a pivotal shift from Saul to David as the chosen king of Israel. Saul, the first king of Israel, had disobeyed God, leading to his rejection. God’s instruction to Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king emphasizes the theme of divine choice and the idea that God’s plans are often beyond human understanding.
- Divine Guidance and Obedience: Samuel’s obedience to God, despite his fear of Saul’s reaction, demonstrates the importance of following divine guidance. Samuel’s actions, guided by God’s instructions, underscore the theme of faith and obedience in the face of potential danger or uncertainty.
- God’s Criteria for Leadership: When Samuel initially sees Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son, he assumes Eliab is the chosen one because of his appearance. However, God’s rejection of Eliab and the other sons based on their outward appearance teaches that God values inner qualities over external ones. This highlights a key biblical theme: «for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart» (1 Samuel 16:7). It suggests that true leadership and worthiness in God’s eyes are determined by one’s heart and character, not physical attributes or societal status.
- David’s Anointing: David, the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate among his brothers, is chosen by God and anointed by Samuel. This moment is significant because it illustrates the theme of the «underdog» or the least expected person being chosen for a great purpose. David’s anointing signifies his empowerment by God, as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him from that day forward. This event marks the beginning of David’s rise to prominence in Israel’s history.
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The anointing of David with oil by Samuel is symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. In the biblical context, anointing with oil was a sign of being set apart for a special task or role. The mention that «the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward» underscores the importance of divine empowerment and guidance in fulfilling one’s destiny or calling.
- Theme of Unlikely Choice: The story also reflects a recurring biblical theme where God chooses unlikely individuals to fulfill significant roles. This theme encourages the belief in potential beyond human expectations and the idea that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or current status, for great purposes.
This passage, therefore, is not just a historical account but also serves as a source of spiritual and moral lessons, emphasizing themes of divine choice, the true criteria for leadership, obedience to God’s will, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.