David's Anointing and God's Providence in Scripture
David's anointing by God is a pivotal event in the Old Testament, signifying his divine selection and consecration for kingship, and illustrating God's active providence in human affairs [1, 3]. The act of anointing, common in ancient Israel, involved applying perfumed oil to an individual, symbolizing their consecration to a holy or sacred purpose [1, 2]. This practice was central to inaugurating individuals into the three primary offices of the Jewish commonwealth: prophets, priests, and kings [1, 2, 8].
For kings, anointing was equivalent to crowning, marking their official installation into office [1]. David, in particular, is frequently referred to as "the anointed" in Scripture, as seen in Psalms 89:20, "I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil" [3]. This designation highlights his unique status as God's chosen ruler [13]. The term "Messiah" (Hebrew: Mashiach) and "Christ" (Greek: Christos) both literally mean "anointed," underscoring the significance of this ritual [6, 7, 8]. While kings like David were anointed with material oil, the ultimate "Anointed One" is Jesus Christ, who was consecrated to his redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King, and anointed with the Holy Spirit [6, 8, 12].
God's providence, which literally means foresight, describes His ongoing preservation and governance of all things through secondary causes [4]. This divine oversight extends comprehensively to the natural world, the animal kingdom, and the affairs of humanity, including the free actions of individuals [4]. David's life, from his humble beginnings as a shepherd to his anointing as king, serves as a profound example of God's providence at work. God "found" David, not in the sense of discovering someone previously unknown, but in the sense of selecting and appointing him for a specific divine purpose [11]. This selection was an act of divine wisdom and grace, choosing David to be His servant and the redeemer of His people [11].
The narrative of David's anointing in 1 Samuel 16 illustrates this providence vividly. While Samuel was sent to anoint one of Jesse's sons, he initially considered David's older brothers based on their outward appearance. However, God rejected them, stating, "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). It was David, the youngest and seemingly least significant, whom God chose and commanded Samuel to anoint [1 Samuel 16:11-13]. This event demonstrates that God's choices are not based on human criteria but on His sovereign will and knowledge of the heart.
David's anointing was not merely a ceremonial act but a divine empowerment. The Spirit of the Lord came upon David powerfully from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:13). This spiritual anointing equipped him for the immense responsibilities of kingship, even though he would not immediately ascend to the throne. The period between his anointing and his actual reign was marked by trials and challenges, during which God continued to shape and prepare him. This interim period further highlights God's providential hand, guiding David through various experiences—such as serving Saul, facing Goliath, and enduring Saul's jealousy—all of which contributed to his development as a leader [4].
The concept of God's providence in relation to David is also evident in the Psalms. Psalm 18:50 declares, "He gives great deliverance to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever" [5]. This verse underscores God's commitment to David and his lineage, promising enduring favor and protection. Commentators note that this promise extends beyond David himself to his descendants, ultimately pointing to the Messiah [10, 13]. The "anointed" in this context refers not only to David but also to the future Messianic King, Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation not only to Israel but also to the Gentiles [10]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, interprets "his Anointed" in Psalms 20:6 as referring to the Messiah, emphasizing that God saves His Anointed despite numerous troubles [9].
The theological implications of David's anointing and God's providence are significant. It establishes a pattern of divine selection and empowerment for leadership, not based on human merit but on God's sovereign choice. This pattern finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the "Anointed One" par excellence [6, 7]. He was anointed by God "with the Holy Ghost and with power," receiving the gifts and graces of the Spirit without measure [12]. This anointing consecrated Him to His role as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, through whom God's redemptive purposes are fully realized [6, 8].
The enduring nature of God's covenant with David, as expressed in the promise to his "anointed" and his "descendants forever" [5], points to the eternal reign of Christ. The Tyndale House commentary notes that God appointed David, His anointed ruler, to bring order into God's world, a responsibility that extended to his descendants [13]. This perspective aligns with the broader biblical narrative where David's kingship foreshadows the eternal kingdom of the Messiah. The faithfulness of God to His promises, despite human failings and historical vicissitudes, is a testament to His unwavering providence.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anoint — The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isa. 21:5), refers t”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Anointing — in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material--with oil--or II. Spiritual--with the Holy Ghost. I. MATERIAL.-- + Ordinary . Anointing the body or head with oil was a common practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the head with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a host to his guests. (Luke 7:46) and Psal 23:5 + Official . It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their o”
- Psalms “I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil, -- Psalms 89:20”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- Psalms “Psalms 18:50 (NASB) — He gives great deliverance to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christ — Anointed, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Messiah" (q.v.), the official title of our Lord, occurring five hundred and fourteen times in the New Testament. It denotes that he was anointed or consecrated to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people. He is Jesus the Christ (Acts 17:3; 18:5; Matt. 22:42), the Anointed One. He is thus spoken of by Isaiah (61:1), and by Daniel (9:24-26), who styles him "Messiah the Prince." The Messiah is the same person as "the seed of the woman" (Gen. 3:15), "the seed of Abraham" (Ge”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Messiah — (anointed). This word (Mashiach) answers to the word Christ (Christos) in the New Testament, and is applicable in its first sense to any one anointed with the holy oil. The kings of Israel were called anointed, from the mode of their consecration. (1 Samuel 2:10,35; 12:3,5) etc. This word also refers to the expected Prince of the chosen people who was to complete God's purposes for them and to redeem them, and of whose coming the prophets of the old covenant in all time spoke. He was the Messiah, the Anointed, i.e. consecrated as the king and prophet by God'”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Messiah — (Heb. mashiah), in all the thirty-nine instances of its occurring in the Old Testament, is rendered by the LXX. "Christos." It means anointed. Thus priests (Ex. 28:41; 40:15; Num. 3:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:3; 2 Sam. 12:7) were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices. The great Messiah is anointed "above his fellows" (Ps. 45:7); i.e., he embraces in himself all the three offices. The Greek form "Messias" is only twice used in the New Testament, in John 1:41 and 4:25 (R.V., "Messiah"), and in the Old ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 20:6: Now know I that the Lord saveth his Anointed,.... Not David, though he was the anointed of the God of Jacob, and was anointed with material oil to be king of Israel by Samuel, at the express order of God himself; but David is not here speaking of himself, nor the church of him, but of the Messiah; anointed by Jehovah king over his holy hill of Zion, with the oil of gladness, or the Holy Spirit. The church in prayer rises in her faith, and is strongly assured of the salvation of the Messiah; that though his troubles would be many and great, he should be delivered out o”
- Psalms (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Psalms 18:49: (Heb.: 18:50-51) The praise of so blessed a God, who acts towards David as He has promised him, shall not be confined within the narrow limits of Israel. When God's anointed makes war with the sword upon the heathen, it is, in the end, the blessing of the knowledge of Jahve for which he opens up the way, and the salvation of Jahve, which he thus mediatorially helps on. Paul has a perfect right to quote Psa 18:50 of this Psalm (Rom 15:9), together with Deu 32:43 and Psa 117:1, as proof that salvation belongs to the Gentiles also, according to the divine purpose”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:19: I have found David my servant,.... Not David literally; but his Son and antitype, the Messiah, who is sometimes called by his name; See Gill on Psa 89:3, and his "finding" him does not suppose any ignorance of him, nor anxious solicitude in seeking him, nor any fortuitous event; but is attributed to God by an anthropopathy, or speaking after the manner of men; for it is an act of the highest wisdom, and richest grace, to find out, that is, to pick and appoint, in council and covenant, his own Son to be his servant, to be the Redeemer and Saviour of sinners, and to ”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 10:38: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth,.... And so declared him to be the Messiah, that was promised to the Jews, and expected by them; the anointed prophet, priest, and King; who because his parents lived at Nazareth, and he was educated there, and there he chiefly preached and wrought his miracles, he was by way of contempt called Jesus of Nazareth: and him God anointed, with the Holy Ghost and with power; with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, without measure; signified by the descent of the Spirit, as a dove upon him at his baptism, and is what in Psa 45:7 is calle”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 18:50: 18:50 God appointed David, his anointed ruler, to bring order into God’s world (see Ps 2). Both David and his descendants received this responsibility.”