Saul - Disobedience, Distance, and Dementia (Part 5)
Samuel anoints David as king
The Lord had indeed found a young man who would walk in His ways, and He sent Samuel to anoint him even though he was still a boy. God’s Word says that Samuel would not see Saul anymore, until the day of his death. Saul was distancing himself from God. He was not repentant, and had already lost the kingdom. How much more was he willing to lose?
Samuel traveled to Bethlehem, just as the Lord instructed, and he found Jesse, along with ten of his sons. The Lord told Samuel that one of Jesse’s sons was to be anointed, and when he saw Eliab, he supposed he was the one because of appearance. But the Lord refused him, along with the other nine sons because He does not honor the outward appearance as men do, but looks to the heart.
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.” I Samuel 16:7
After ten of Jesse’s sons were rejected, Samuel asked if that was it. Jesse told him that he had one other son, the youngest, who was keeping the sheep, which probably means that he had the lowest position. Samuel anoints the boy with his horn of oil, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and we find out that his name is David. We also find out that the Spirit of the Lord is no longer with Saul, and not only that, but an evil spirit will also come and trouble him from now on.
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. But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. I Samuel 16:13-14
Wouldn’ t you know it; Saul’s servants suggested to him that he bring in the son of Jesse(David), who could play music that would give Saul comfort from the evil spirit, and Saul called him in, loved him, and made him his armourbearer. So we have the old king, who is technically still king, and the new king, who is not quite ready to be king yet, and whenever David plays the harp, Saul rests in comfort from the evil spirit. It could be that since the Lord is with David, whenever David is around, there is enough blessings for all. However, Saul will not quite see it that way…
Dave Earley
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