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David Anointed

Illustration of David Anointed
Era
United Kingdom
Date
c. 1025 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
1 Samuel 16:1-13

After God rejected King Saul for his disobedience, the prophet Samuel was directed to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint a new king from among his sons. Although David's older brothers appeared more suitable, God instructed Samuel to choose the young shepherd David, recognizing the condition of his heart rather than his outward appearance. Samuel poured oil on David's head, anointing him as the future king of Israel, and from that day the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. This event is significant because it marks the beginning of David's journey to the throne and establishes the Davidic line through which the Messiah would eventually come.

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Did You Know?

1

Although David's older brothers appeared more suitable, God instructed Samuel to choose the young shepherd David, recognizing the condition of his heart rather than his outward appearance.

2

Samuel poured oil on David's head, anointing him as the future king of Israel, and from that day the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 1025 BC in biblical chronology.

4

This took place at or near Bethlehem.

Key Passage

David Anointed

1 Samuel 16:1-13

A1nd the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORDโ€™s anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Read full chapter: 1 Samuel 16 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt is in decline (Third Intermediate Period). Phoenicia dominates Mediterranean trade. The Greek Dark Age continues. Assyria is rising in Mesopotamia. Homer may be composing the Iliad and Odyssey. This is the era of the great Phoenician alphabet spreading.

When: c. 1050 - 930 BC

Key Civilizations: Phoenicia, Early Assyria