Government: God In in the Appointment of David
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The appointment of David as king over Israel is a profound example of divine sovereignty and providence in the governance of His people. This event is a testament to God's active role in the establishment of leadership according to His purposes and plans.

Divine Selection and Anointing

The narrative of David's appointment begins with God's rejection of Saul as king due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:26). God then instructs the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king from the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. This directive underscores the principle that God, not man, chooses leaders according to His criteria. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart" . This highlights God's focus on the inner qualities of a leader rather than external attributes.

David's Anointing

David, the youngest son of Jesse, is chosen by God despite being overlooked by his family. Samuel anoints David in the presence of his brothers, and "the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:13). This anointing signifies God's empowerment and endorsement of David as the future king. The Spirit's presence with David is a critical element, indicating divine guidance and support in his leadership.

God's Sovereign Timing

Although anointed as king, David does not immediately ascend to the throne. Instead, he enters a period of preparation and testing, serving in Saul's court and later as a fugitive. This delay illustrates God's sovereign timing in the fulfillment of His promises. David's experiences during this time refine his character and prepare him for the responsibilities of kingship.

David's Ascension to the Throne

After the death of Saul, David is publicly recognized as king. The men of Judah come to Hebron and anoint him king over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). Later, all the tribes of Israel acknowledge David's leadership, saying, "The LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel'" (2 Samuel 5:2). This acknowledgment by the people reflects their recognition of God's choice and the legitimacy of David's rule.

God's Covenant with David

God's involvement in David's kingship is further solidified through the Davidic Covenant. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, God promises David that his house and kingdom will endure forever, establishing his throne for all generations. This covenant not only affirms David's role but also points to the future Messianic King, Jesus Christ, who would come from David's lineage.

Conclusion

The appointment of David as king is a clear demonstration of God's active role in the governance of His people. Through divine selection, anointing, and covenant, God establishes David as a leader after His own heart, setting a precedent for His sovereign involvement in the leadership of His people.
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1 Samuel 16:1,7,13
And the LORD said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill your horn with oil, and go, I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
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2 Samuel 7:13-16
He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
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Psalm 89:19-37
Then you spoke in vision to your holy one, and said, I have laid help on one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
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Acts 13:22
And when he had removed him, he raised up to them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
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Library

Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
... A kingdom is the best form of government of the ... He prescribed how the king after
his appointment should behave ... on God's Law, and should ever fear and obey God. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law enjoined.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... general of David's army, met him, according to David's appointment. ... to it, for they
knew that God had appointed ... that he might deliver up the government to him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

How Athaliah Reigned Over Jerusalem for Five [Six] Years when ...
... safety, and of the safety of his government; after which ... built, to the dishonor of
the God of their ... priests and Levites, according to the appointment of king ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how athaliah reigned.htm

Purposes of God.
... of physical events, as synonymous with appointment, fore-ordination ... is to defeat
the end of moral government, and to ... the highest good; but that God foresees that ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvi purposes of god.htm

The Historical Books.
... we learn how such a central government was established ... of Solomon, which excelled
that of David in outward ... division was brought about by God's appointment as a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Of Civil Government.
... 6. Divine appointment of Magistrates ... different regions a similar inequality in the
form of government is best ... unnecessarily to those to whom the will of God is a ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... and to vindicate the honour of His government; and we ... done, and the declaration of
this appointment is a ... Say unto Jerusalem, Behold MESSIAH, Behold your God! ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin.
... cloud of difficulties which their scheme spreads over the moral government of God. ...
seen, "since all men do against us is by the appointment of God, it is ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii the scheme of.htm

Immanuel
... the wisdom and power of God in this appointment. ... without prejudice to the honour
of the divine government. ... upon Mount Golgotha, is the true God and eternal life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon v immanuel.htm

Opposition to Messiah Unreasonable
... and peculiar favours; the spirit of our constitution and government is friendly
to ... and policy to withstand and suppress the decree and appointment of God. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiii opposition to messiah.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about government? | GotQuestions.org

Is democracy a Christian form of government? | GotQuestions.org

What is moral government theology? | GotQuestions.org

Government: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Communism: General Scriptures Concerning

Contingencies in Divine Government of Man

Government

Government: Civil Service School Provided By

Government: Constitutes

Government: Corruption In

Government: Corruption in Felix, Who Expected Money from Paul

Government: Corruption in Pilate, in Delivering Jesus to Death in Order to Please the Clamoring Multitude

Government: Duty of Citizens To

Government: Executive officers of Tribes and Cities

Government: God In in Appointment of Saul As King

Government: God In in Blotting out the Household of Jeroboam

Government: God In in Counseling Solomon

Government: God In in Denouncing Solomon's Wickedness

Government: God In in Dividing the Jewish Nation Into Two Different Countries

Government: God In in Magnifying Him

Government: God In in Raising Adversaries Against Solomon

Government: God In in Saul's Rejection

Government: God In in the Appointment of David

Government: God In in the Appointment of Kings

Government: God In in the Destruction of Nations

Government: Imperial

Government: Maintains of Public Instruction

Government: Monarchical by Ahasuerus

Government: Monarchical by David

Government: Monarchical by Herod

Government: Monarchical by Nebuchadnezzar

Government: Monarchical by Saul

Government: Monarchical by Solomon

Government: Mosaic: Accepted, and Agreed To, the Law Given by Moses

Government: Mosaic: Administrative and Judicial System

Government: Mosaic: Among the Egyptians

Government: Mosaic: Among the Gibeonites

Government: Mosaic: Among the Midianites and Moabites

Government: Mosaic: Assists Solomon at the Dedication of the Temple

Government: Mosaic: Chooses David As King

Government: Mosaic: Chose, or Ratified, the Chief Ruler

Government: Mosaic: Closely Associated With David

Government: Mosaic: Closely Associated With Moses and Subsequent Leaders

Government: Mosaic: Corrupt

Government: Mosaic: Counsels King Ahab

Government: Mosaic: Counsels King Rehoboam

Government: Mosaic: David Rebukes

Government: Mosaic: Demands a King

Government: Mosaic: Joins Absalom in his Usurpation

Government: Mosaic: Josiah Assembles to Hear the Law of the Lord

Government: Mosaic: Legislates in Later Times

Government: Mosaic: Legislates With Ezra in Reforming Certain Marriages With the Heathen

Government: Mosaic: Possessed Veto Power Over the King's Purposes

Government: Mosaic: Refused to Make Conquest of Canaan

Government: Mosaic: Saul Pleads to be Honored Before

Government: Mosaic: Seeks Counsel from Prophets

Government: Mosaic: Sits As a Court

Government: Mosaic: The Court in Certain Capital Cases

Government: Mosaic: Unfaithful to the City

Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers

Government: Paternal Functions of

Government: Provincial

Government: Representative

Government: Theocratic

Government: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to God In

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Government: God In in Saul's Rejection
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