1 Samuel 16:1-13

Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Helpful Background Information:

• Samuel was the last of the judges that led Israel before kings were anointed to rule over the people. Samuel had anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel, but his heart was revealed to be prideful. As Saul continued to decline in moral character, God had His plan to work through David.

• Before the coming of Christ and the mystery of the Church was revealed, the Holy Spirit was still at work. In this passage, the Holy Spirit is said to enter David after his anointing. At the time, the Holy Spirit powerfully coming on someone did not result in a permanent indwelling as there is under the new covenant brought about by Jesus.

• In this culture, anointing leaders with oil was a normal practice. Before the anointing of kings, priests were also anointed to show how they were set apart before God. 1 Samuel 10:1 describes how Saul was also anointed to set him apart as king. As Samuel anointed David, he was declaring David to be set apart by God to lead the people of Israel as their king. Anointing kings continued in Israel after this time as well. 

Reflection Questions: 

• God chose David to be the next king of Israel because he was a man after God’s own heart, as prophesied in 1 Samuel 13:14. How can you ask Jesus to change your heart to be aligned with His? Who can help you to do this?

• With this understanding of old testament anointing, how does Jesus’ anointing set believers apart from the world? How does this change how Christians are to approach the world?

• How can you be encouraged by Jesus’ anointing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit? How can you encourage others with this truth?