In the biblical narrative, the term "the Lord's anointed" is a significant designation for kings, particularly those who ruled over Israel and Judah. This title underscores the divine selection and consecration of a king, marking him as chosen by God to lead His people. The concept of anointing is deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition, where it symbolizes the setting apart of an individual for a specific, holy purpose.

Anointing in the Old Testament

The practice of anointing with oil is first seen in the context of priests and sacred objects, but it becomes particularly prominent with the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. The prophet Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 10:1: "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'" . This act signifies Saul's divine appointment and the beginning of his reign.

David, the most renowned king of Israel, is also referred to as the Lord's anointed. His anointing is described in 1 Samuel 16:13: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward" . David's anointing is not only a physical act but also a spiritual empowerment, as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him.

Respect for the Lord's Anointed

The title "the Lord's anointed" carries with it a sense of sacredness and inviolability. David, despite being anointed himself, shows profound respect for Saul, who was still king at the time. In 1 Samuel 24:6, David refrains from harming Saul, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed" . This respect underscores the belief that the anointed king is under God's protection and authority.

Theological Significance

The anointing of kings in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, the Messiah, who Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word for "anointed" is "mashiach," from which the term "Messiah" is derived. In this way, the kings of Israel serve as types or foreshadows of the coming King who would perfectly embody God's will and reign eternally.

New Testament Reflection

While the New Testament does not continue the practice of anointing kings, the concept of Jesus as the Anointed One is central to Christian theology. In Luke 4:18, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" . Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the fulfillment of the prophetic expectation of the Anointed One.

Conclusion

The title "the Lord's anointed" in the context of kingship in Israel highlights the divine authority and sacred responsibility bestowed upon the monarch. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in appointing leaders and the expectation of their obedience to His will. This concept finds its ultimate expression in the person of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, who fulfills the promises and expectations of the Old Testament.1 Samuel 16:6
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 24:6
And he said to his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 19:21
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... to be the founder of a line of kings, and the ... was executed by him for having profanely
slain the Lord's anointed. ... It had once been called Salem, or peace, when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Epistle xvii. To Felix, Bishop of Messana.
... very unfit that those who are called thrones of ... who was the most righteous of kings
presumed not ... or indiscreetness or dishonour on the Lord's Anointed, or on ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xvii to felix bishop.htm

The Upright Does Nothing that is Contrary to Duty...
... And when the king called to him, he restored the spear, and said: "The ... my hand, but
I would not avenge myself on the Lord's anointed." [637] Even ... 1 Kings] xxvi ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v the upright does.htm

The Two Boy Kings.
... Hezekiah, and among them were two who became kings when they ... of Baal was torn down,
and the Lord's gold and ... it was falling into decay, so he called for money ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxx the two boy.htm

Miscellaneous.
... strictly, no day can so properly be called the Lord's ... Shall kings and princes and
great men set a mark ... done, when they have transgressed the law of the Lord. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxix miscellaneous.htm

The First Kings.
... the beginning of this history of the kings, suggests a ... son, was the heir chosen by
the Lord, to the ... his stormy, yet splendid reign, he called the intellectual ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God
... the transgression is a moral evil, and is called the formal ... (2 Kings ) God permitted ...
I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed." (1 Samuel 24 ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 10 on the righteousness.htm

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable ...
... viii.5. But still those kings, being appointed by God, were indeed to be ... of the Messiah,
who, with regard to this was called the Lord's anointed, his king ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iv the necessity of.htm

The Shepherd-King
... Lord looketh on the heart.8. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and ... his brethren: and the
Spirit of the Lord came upon ... Had not Samuel had enough of kings of towering ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the shepherd-king.htm

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
... Kings i.1-3; v.26 ... Simon called Jesus "Teacher," little thinking how fully Jesus was
about to ... woman had amply supplied his omission, bathing the Lord's feet in ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvi jesus feet anointed in.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Joash in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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