In the biblical tradition, anointing with oil is a significant ritual symbolizing the consecration and divine appointment of individuals to specific roles and offices. Among the most prominent recipients of sacred anointing in the Scriptures are the kings of Israel and Judah. This act of anointing signifies God's choice and empowerment of a leader to govern His people, often accompanied by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Saul: The First Anointed King

Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, was the first king anointed over Israel. The prophet Samuel, acting under God's direction, anointed Saul as king. In 1 Samuel 10:1 , it is recorded: "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 anointing marked the beginning of Saul's reign and was a public declaration of his divine appointment.

David: A Man After God's Own Heart

David, the son of Jesse, was anointed by Samuel while Saul was still king. This anointing was a private affair, conducted at God's command, signifying David's future role as king. In 1 Samuel 16:13 , it is written: "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 was a pivotal moment, as it established him as a man chosen by God, despite his humble beginnings.

Solomon: Anointed to Secure Succession

Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, was anointed as king to secure his succession to the throne. This anointing was performed by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan, ensuring the continuation of David's lineage. 1 Kings 1:39 states: "Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people shouted, 'Long live King Solomon!'" This anointing was crucial in establishing Solomon's legitimacy and authority as king.

Jehu: Anointed to Fulfill God's Judgment

Jehu, a commander in the army of Israel, was anointed by a young prophet sent by Elisha to execute God's judgment against the house of Ahab. In 2 Kings 9:6 , it is recorded: "So Jehu got up and went into the house, and the young prophet poured the oil on his head and declared, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel.'" Jehu's anointing was a divine mandate to cleanse Israel from idolatry and corruption.

Joash: Anointed in the Line of David

Joash, a descendant of David, was anointed king at a young age after being hidden from the murderous intentions of Athaliah. His anointing was a restoration of the Davidic line to the throne of Judah. 2 Kings 11:12 describes the event: "Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, gave him the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, 'Long live the king!'" This anointing reaffirmed God's covenant with David's lineage.

The anointing of kings in the Bible underscores the belief in divine sovereignty and the idea that true leadership is established by God's will. Each anointing carried with it the expectation of adherence to God's laws and the responsibility to lead the people in righteousness.Judges 9:8
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, Reign you over us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 9:16
To morrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on my people, because their cry is come to me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 1:34
And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow you with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joy Born at Bethlehem
... joy which is spoken of; next, the persons to whom ... Ghost is glorified, by being seen
as anointing the incarnate ... songs to his praise, and exult with sacred joy. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/joy born at bethlehem.htm

The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the ...
... For they also bore in their own persons types of ... prophets themselves became, by the
act of anointing, Christs in ... earth with the truly august and sacred name of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the name jesus and.htm

On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... that the woman brought to the sacred supper "an ... applying girlish scents to their
persons, its use ... with ointment is entirely different from anointing one's self ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii on the use of.htm

A New Order of Priests and Levites
... of his own setting apart, of his own anointing. ... This sacred and consecrated band
of priests and Levites ... In some persons this natural inaptitude and unfitness ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a new order of priests.htm

Letter Lxxxvii. (AD 405. )
... which you have and you read in the sacred books ... say that we ought not to communicate
with such persons. ... his sins, destroy the efficacy of the anointing which he ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxvii a d 405.htm

Homeward Bound
... but neither read nor reverently treated the sacred manuscripts the ... the first time
in his life, the anointing of the ... and laid out by three named persons and no ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter x homeward bound.htm

The Historical Books.
... in writing by Joshua himself, or by persons acting under ... an account of the selection,
anointing, and inauguration ... that in this respect the sacred narratives of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Psalm XLV.
... For it is sung of the sacred Marriage-feast; of the ... a writer writing quickly." There
have been persons who have ... What is the meaning of that anointing of a stone ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlv.htm

Matt. xxvi. 6, 7
... much more will He not accept the anointing of oil. ... if thou shouldest see any one
provide sacred vessels and ... let us exercise our reasoning in persons also, and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxx matt xxvi 6.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... but all Christians, should use oil in anointing, in their ... It is, if you please, the
sacred oil which ... apostles, when he was only appointing persons to kindle ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

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