1 Samuel 16:12 - The Anointing of David
The Context
In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel is instructed by God to anoint a new king from among the sons of Jesse. The current king, Saul, had disobeyed God, and God had rejected him as king. Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to find the new king, and he is surprised to find that the chosen one is the youngest son, David.
The Verse
"And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.'" - 1 Samuel 16:12 (ESV)
The Anointing of David
In this verse, we see the moment when David is anointed as the future king of Israel. The Lord had rejected Saul, and now He is choosing a new king from among Jesse's sons. Samuel is instructed to anoint the chosen one, and that one is David.
The Physical Description of David
The Bible describes David as "ruddy" (reddish-brown in complexion), with "beautiful eyes" and being "handsome" (1 Samuel 16:12). This physical description is important because it shows that God is not looking at outward appearance but at the heart. David is not the obvious choice, but God sees something in him that no one else does.
The Spiritual Significance of the Anointing
The anointing of David is a significant event in the Bible. It marks a turning point in Israel's history, as God is now choosing a new leader who will be faithful to Him. The anointing of David is also a foreshadowing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will be anointed by God to save humanity.
Conclusion
In 1 Samuel 16:12, we see the anointing of David as the future king of Israel. This event marks a significant turning point in Israel's history and foreshadows the coming of the Messiah. God is not looking at outward appearance but at the heart, and He chooses David because of his faithfulness and obedience.
