Throughout 1 Samuel, one phrase appears again and again: “the LORD’s anointed.” It describes someone chosen, set apart, and appointed by God for a particular purpose.
But this phrase is more than a title for Israel’s king. It introduces a theme that runs throughout Scripture and ultimately points us to Jesus Christ- the perfect and eternal Anointed King.
What Does “Anointed” Mean?
In the Old Testament, anointing involved pouring oil over someone or something to show that it had been set apart for God’s service. Priests, kings, and occasionally prophets were anointed before carrying out the work God had appointed them to do.
The Hebrew word translated “anointed” is mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ), from which we get the word Messiah. Its Greek equivalent is Christos (Χριστός), translated “Christ.”
This means that “Messiah” and “Christ” are not Jesus’ last name. Both are titles meaning “Anointed One.”
Whenever Scripture calls Jesus “the Christ,” it identifies Him as the One chosen and appointed by God to fulfill His redemptive plan.
Saul: The LORD’s Anointed King
Israel’s first king was Saul. Although the people’s demand for a king revealed their rejection of God’s rule, God instructed Samuel to anoint Saul as their leader.
“Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, ‘Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?’”
1 Samuel 10:1
Saul looked like a king. He was tall, physically impressive, and stood above everyone else. From a human perspective, he appeared to be exactly the kind of ruler Israel wanted.
But Saul repeatedly disobeyed God. He became more concerned with maintaining his reputation before the people than with honoring the LORD. Eventually, God rejected Saul’s dynasty and chose another king.
Saul’s story teaches us that receiving a position from God is not the same as faithfully walking with Him. Outward appearance, spiritual privilege, and public recognition cannot replace obedience.
David: The King God Chose
When God sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, Samuel was immediately impressed by Eliab’s appearance. God corrected him:
“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
Chapter 16, verse 7
Jesse’s older sons looked more like potential kings, but God chose David- the youngest son, who had been left in the fields tending sheep.
Samuel anointed David, and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him. Yet David did not immediately receive the throne. He returned to serving, faced Goliath, endured Saul’s jealousy, and spent years fleeing for his life.
David had been anointed as Israel’s future king, but he was required to wait for God’s appointed time.
Why Wouldn’t David Harm Saul?
On two occasions, David had an opportunity to kill Saul. His companions believed God had delivered Saul into David’s hands, but David refused to harm him.
David explained:
“The LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed.”
1 Samuel 24:6
David did not refuse because Saul was behaving righteously. Saul was jealous, violent, and actively trying to kill him. David refused because he trusted God to judge Saul and establish David as king in His own time.
David would not commit sin to obtain something God had already promised him.
This does not mean that an abusive or ungodly leader should never be confronted or held accountable. Saul’s title did not make his actions righteous or place him beyond God’s judgment. David confronted Saul, spoke truth about his actions, created distance from him, and fled to safety.
David’s refusal to kill Saul teaches us about trusting God’s authority- not giving leaders permission to misuse theirs.
David Was Anointed, but He Was Not the Final King
David became Israel’s greatest king, but he was not a perfect one. Although he was described as a man after God’s own heart, he still sinned and needed God’s mercy.
God made a covenant with David, promising that his kingdom and throne would be established forever:
“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
2 Samuel 7:16
No ordinary human king could fulfill this promise forever. David’s descendants continued to rule for generations, but the earthly kingdom eventually fell.
The promise required a greater Son of David- an eternal King whose reign would never end.
Jesus Is the Anointed One
The New Testament identifies Jesus as the promised descendant of David and the true Anointed King.
When the angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth to Mary, he said:
“The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:32-33
At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
Luke 4:18
Jesus then declared that the Scripture had been fulfilled in the hearing of those present. He was openly identifying Himself as God’s promised Anointed One.
Jesus fulfills everything Israel’s kings were meant to represent. He is perfectly obedient, completely righteous, and eternally faithful. He does not use His authority for selfish gain. He rules with justice, rescues His people from sin, and reigns forever.
David Points Us to a Greater King
David’s life contains several patterns that help us recognize Jesus:
David was anointed before receiving his throne.
Jesus was publicly identified as God’s Son but was rejected before being exalted as King.
David was an overlooked shepherd from Bethlehem.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and is the Good Shepherd.
David defeated the enemy Israel could not defeat for itself.
Jesus defeated sin, death, and Satan on behalf of His people.
David was rejected and pursued despite his innocence.
Jesus was rejected, falsely accused, and condemned though He was without sin.
David eventually reigned over Israel.
Jesus reigns as the eternal King over all creation.
These similarities do not mean that every detail of David’s life is a direct prophecy. David was a real person with real failures. However, his role as God’s anointed shepherd-king established a pattern that finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ.
A Warning About “Touch Not My Anointed”
The phrase “touch not the LORD’s anointed” is sometimes used to suggest that pastors or ministry leaders should never be questioned, corrected, or held accountable.
That is not what 1 Samuel teaches.
David refused to kill Saul or take the throne through violence. He did not pretend Saul’s behavior was acceptable. He confronted Saul, named the injustice, sought safety, and trusted God to bring judgment.
Scripture requires church leaders to meet standards of godly character and provides instructions for addressing sin. No leader is above God’s Word, and spiritual authority should never be used to silence legitimate concerns or protect wrongdoing.
Respecting God’s authority does not require ignoring sin.
Why This Matters
The story of Saul and David teaches us that human leaders will always fall short. Some may appear impressive but lack obedient hearts. Others may sincerely follow God while still struggling with sin.
Our ultimate hope cannot rest in any human king, pastor, teacher, or political leader.
We need a King who will never become proud, corrupt, selfish, or unfaithful. We need a King who sees our deepest need and has the power to save us completely.
Jesus is that King.
He is not merely another person anointed for temporary service. He is the Messiah- the promised Anointed One, the Son of David, and the eternal King whose kingdom will never end.
Study It for Yourself
Read:
1 Samuel 8:4-22
1 Samuel 10:1
1 Samuel 15:17-23
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Samuel 24:1-12
1 Samuel 26:7-11
2 Samuel 7:12-16
Psalm 2:1-12
Isaiah 61:1-3
Luke 1:26-33
Luke 4:16-21
Acts 13:20-23
Revelation 19:11-16
As you read, mark every reference to anointing, kingship, the Spirit of the LORD, obedience, and God’s promises concerning David’s throne.
Ask Yourself
What differences do I see between Saul’s leadership and David’s leadership?
Why did David refuse to take the throne through violence?
Have I ever been tempted to force something rather than wait for God’s timing?
How does David’s life prepare us to recognize Jesus?
Why is Jesus a better King than any human leader could ever be?
Am I trusting Christ as the true King of my life?
Final Reminder
Saul looked like the king Israel wanted. David was the king God chose. But Jesus is the King humanity truly needs.
David’s anointing pointed beyond an earthly throne to the coming Messiah- the perfectly obedient Shepherd-King who would defeat our greatest enemies, rescue His people, and reign forever.