David Anointed King

David was the eighth son of Jesse (though the genealogy in 1 Chronicles records David as Jesse’s seventh son; this discrepancy might be because one of David’s brothers died young and was not recorded in the genealogy). David was the youngest and least esteemed son in his family; he wasn’t given importance at home and had no right to speak in front of his brothers (1 Samuel 17:28). Initially, he wasn’t even invited to the peace offering feast with Samuel, Jesse, and his other brothers.

David was the second king of the Kingdom of Israel, succeeding Saul, and reigned for forty years. David was anointed three times during his life: The first time, Samuel anointed him as king over God’s people at a peace offering feast in the presence of David’s brothers (1 Samuel 16:13). The second time, the tribe of Judah anointed him king over the house of Judah in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). The third time, the elders of all twelve tribes of Israel anointed him king over Israel in Hebron (2 Samuel 5:3).

Once David was anointed, he had the status of king, but he had to wait until Saul’s death to ascend the throne. After David was anointed, God’s work in him began. From that day on, the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David (1 Samuel 16:13), guiding him to live in God’s presence, equipping him through daily life and small tasks like tending sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-36). He learned to obey God and trust God in all things, and a new heart was created within him, absolutely committed to following God. Human flesh naturally resists being dealt with; only those who belong to the Spirit are willing to accept God’s dealings and transformation. After Saul was anointed, the Spirit of God would occasionally come powerfully upon him (1 Samuel 10:26; 11:6; 19:23), which is why his flesh always resisted God’s transformation. But after David was anointed, the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, guiding him to willingly accept God’s breaking and building. His lifelong prayer was, “do not take your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11).

After being anointed, David did not rely on his own efforts to secure the kingship but continued to tend sheep. God Himself ensured that all things worked together for good, bringing David, the shepherd boy, into the palace to learn how to be king. For all whom God chooses and calls, God Himself will provide all the necessary wisdom, talents, resources, and opportunities. Work done out of the flesh is based on one’s own motives, relies on one’s own efforts, and aims for one’s own glory. In contrast, work done in the Spirit is “from Him and through Him and to Him” (Romans 11:36).