1 Samuel 16:11-13: The Anointing of David
In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, we find a pivotal moment in the story of King David, where Samuel anoints him as the future king of Israel.
The Search for a New King
After rejecting King Saul, God instructed Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons as the new king. When Samuel arrived, he was impressed by Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, but God rejected him, saying, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
The Anointing of David
Samuel then asked Jesse to call his remaining sons, and one by one, they were rejected by God. Finally, Jesse presented his youngest son, David, who was tending sheep. The Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one" (1 Samuel 16:12).
The Significance of the Anointing
In 1 Samuel 16:13, we read, "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David." This anointing marked the beginning of David's journey as the future king of Israel. The Holy Spirit, who had departed from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14), now empowered David, preparing him for his future role.
Lessons from the Anointing of David
The story of David's anointing teaches us several valuable lessons:
- God sees beyond outward appearance: God rejected Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, because he looked at the heart, not the physical appearance.
- God chooses the humble: David, the youngest son, was chosen over his brothers, demonstrating God's preference for the humble and lowly.
- The power of the Holy Spirit: The anointing of David marked the beginning of his empowerment by the Holy Spirit, which enabled him to fulfill his divine calling.
In conclusion, the anointing of David in 1 Samuel 16:11-13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to choose and equip ordinary people for extraordinary tasks.
