How does this verse connect to honoring God's anointed throughout Scripture? A moment of courage in Jabesh-Gilead 1 Samuel 31:11: “When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,” • These townspeople remembered that Saul had once rescued them (1 Samuel 11). • Philistines had humiliated Saul’s corpse, displaying it on Beth-shan’s wall (1 Samuel 31:9–10). • Out of gratitude and reverence, the men of Jabesh risked their lives, journeyed overnight, retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons, and gave them an honorable burial (vv. 12–13). Why this act honors God’s anointed • Saul was still “the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6). • Even in his failure, his office retained divine sanctity. • By honoring Saul’s remains, the men honored the God who had placed him on the throne. The same theme woven through Scripture • David’s restraint: “I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:10). • David’s lament: he mourned Saul and Jonathan, calling Saul “the anointed of the LORD” (2 Samuel 1:14, 23–24). • Command in the wilderness wanderings: “Do not touch My anointed ones; do My prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15; cf. 1 Chronicles 16:22). • Korah’s rebellion judged because it despised the priestly anointing of Aaron (Numbers 16). • Respect for prophetic office: Elisha’s curse on the mocking youths (2 Kings 2:23–24) underscores the gravity of dishonoring God’s anointed messenger. Jesus Christ—the ultimate Anointed One • “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). Messiah means “Anointed.” • Rejection of Jesus by His hometown illustrates the peril of dishonor (Mark 6:4–5). • Acts 4:26–27 ties Psalm 2 to Christ: “The kings of the earth... against the Lord and against His Anointed... truly in this city they were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed.” Honoring delegated authority today Romans 13:1–2: “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed.” 1 Timothy 5:17: “Elders who lead well are worthy of double honor.” Practical expressions: • Speak respectfully of spiritual and civic leaders, even when addressing failure. • Support and protect those carrying God-given callings, recognizing the weight of their office. • Remember past faithfulness—just as Jabesh Gilead recalled Saul’s earlier deliverance—showing gratitude to leaders who have blessed the community. A consistent heartbeat From Jabesh-Gilead’s midnight rescue to the reverence shown the risen Christ, Scripture repeats one message: honor the persons God sets apart, for in doing so we honor the God who anoints them. |
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