Week 6 - Day 3
THE STORY
ANOINTED LEADERSHIP
In the Old Testament, ultimately God was to be Israel’s King. God, however, used other specially appointed and spiritually anointed people to lead His people. For example, in our last reading we saw how God used Joshua and the various judges to lead. God also used prophets, priests and kings. Today, we’re going to look at one leader in particular—King David.
DAVID’S APPOINTMENT AND ANOINTING
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NLT)
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”
But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
“Take a heifer with you,” the LORD replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the LORD. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”
So Samuel did as the LORD instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?”
“Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.
When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!”
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the LORD has chosen.” Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
Why was Samuel concerned that King Saul might hear of his visit to Bethlehem?
Why was the city concerned about Samuel’s visit?
Samuel anointed David with what?
God empowered David with Whom?
DAVID’S DYNASTY
God sent the Prophet Nathan to communicate this promise to King David.
2 Samuel 7:5-19 (NLT)
“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.
“‘Furthermore, the LORD declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
“Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, Sovereign LORD, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign LORD?”
What is God’s promise to or covenant with King David?
Based on this gracious covenantal promise, the Jews began to long for a King who would come to Rescue them. In Hebrew (the language of the Old Testament) this longed for Rescuer King was known as The Messiah. In Greek (the language of the New Testament), He was known as the Christ. And in English both Messiah and Christ mean The Anointed One.
The title the Messiah, then, tells us that this descendant of King David will be the Great King. The Prophet Isaiah gave this amazing prophecy about the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
From Isaiah’s prophecy, how do you get the sense that this descendant of King David is more than a mere human being?
The title the Messiah also tells us that this Great King will be anointed with the Holy Spirit. He will be fully filled with the very presence and power of God. He will be the Anointed One. Once again, here’s a prophecy from the Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:1-2 (NLT)
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
PREVIEW
Listen to how the very first book of the New Testament begins.
Matthew 1:1 (NIV)
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Who fulfills God's promise to King David?
In light of what you have discovered through the Bible readings and your personal reflections, how will you respond? Finish this sentence: I will …