The Anointed of God by Dr. Johnny O. Trail, LMFT
The act of anointing a person to serve as king over God’s people had a special significance. Samuel was privileged to anoint two of the first kings over the United Kingdom of Israel—Saul and David. The Old Testament and the New Testament have much to say about the meaning of “anointing” a person and its messianic importance.Yahweh was always their King, but the people wanted to be like the other nations around them. 1 Samuel 8:7 says, “And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” In accordance with the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 17.14ff) and the commandment of God, Samuel then warns them about the consequences of having a human king (I Samuel 8.10-18), but the people agree to be under the rule of an earthly king.
Samuel anointed Saul to serve as the first king over the nation of Israel. There is some question about the nature of his ordination and the title that Samuel gives Saul. 1 Samuel 9:16 says, "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin [Saul—JOT], and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me." The word translated “commander” in the NKJV could also be translated as “captain, chief, governor, or ruler.”
After David is anointed and Saul perceives that he is a threat to his reign (I Samuel 18.9), Saul pursues David and his men throughout various regions of the Ancient Middle East. On two occasions, David has the opportunity to kill Saul and end Saul’s pursuit of God’s next anointed king. Nonetheless, David practiced wisdom and restraint in his unwillingness to kill Saul. One might ask what is the significance of David’s moderation regarding Saul? Notice what David says to Abishai in 1 Samuel 26:9-11. “But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?" David said furthermore, "As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go."
David would not so much as consider putting Saul to death, even though, by human standards, he had every reason. David would not even allow his commanders to harm a hair on Saul’s head. He knew the significance of being God’s anointed. This lesson would be lost on the contemporaries of Christ.
Various passages point out the sovereignty and divine appointment of the anointed over God’s people. The king of Israel was selected by God to rule His people. Notice what the psalmist says about Jehovah’s anointed. Psalm 2:2-7 says, “The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”
This was significant in the Messianic promise that was made to the nation of Israel. The promises made to David helped the Jews conceptualize the arrival of the Messiah. 2 Samuel 7:16 says, “And your house [David— JOT] and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." From this passage and the ancient Israelite’s understanding of the powerful Davidic throne, it becomes apparent that they anticipated an earthly kingdom with geographic boarders and some sort of standing army. This could be part of the reason why the Apostles continuously miss the nature of the kingdom Jesus was going to establish (cf. Acts 1.16).
Andrew understood the identity of Jesus early on during his encounter with Him. John 1:41 says, “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).” The word Christ can be translated as “the anointed.” Jesus would also be proclaimed as the “King of Israel.” John 1:49 says, “Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" This was merely another manner of saying that Jesus was the “anointed,” the sovereign, or the Messiah.
Consequently, there is much to be said about David’s understanding of God’s anointed and the fact that Jesus was God’s anointed. David would not think of harming Saul, but the Jewish rulers of Christ’s age had no compunction in harming the anointed Son of God even though He had done nothing deserving of death under the Law of Moses.
Jesus’ life and death were a fulfillment of scriptures regarding His opposition in Psalm 2.1-2. In Acts 4:27 it says, "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together.” The anointed King allowed Himself to die to establish His Kingdom (Matthew 16.13-19; cf. Acts 20.28), so that all who obey the gospel might have eternal life. (I Corinthians 15.1-4; cf. Romans 6.3-4)
Even though it was inscribed in derision, Pilate’s inscription is ironically true. John 19:19-22 says, “Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews." ' " Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." Let all who profess to follow Christ write His identity as Messiah upon their hearts!
