Principle
David was anointed as Israel’s second king, succeeding Saul, whom God rejected.
Explanation
We have previously established how:
- Israel requested a man to lead them as king.
- GOD selected Saul as Israel’s first king.
- Saul failed to obey GOD’s instructions.
- GOD rejected Saul as king over Israel.
Following GOD’s rejection of Saul, GOD sent Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem of Judah to anoint Israel’s next king.
One by one, Samuel considered Jesse’s sons, but GOD consistently informed Samuel that this was not the man He had chosen. Finally, David, the youngest son who had received not even a passing thought of being GOD’s chosen, was called from the field where he was shepherding.
12 So [Jesse] sent and brought [David] in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Arise, anoint David; for he is good!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of olive oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
1 Kingdoms [1 Samuel] 16:12-13a OSB
Thus, David was appointed as Israel’s new king. Yet, even though David was anointed, he did not immediately begin to reign, for Saul remained Israel’s leader in the eyes of the people, for the moment.
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