The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” – 1 Samuel 16:1

Mounce’s dictionary defines anointing as an activity that involves the smearing or rubbing of oil on a person for religious purposes. Theologically, an individual or object set apart for divine use is said to be “anointed.” David was anointed ruler over Israel, this anointing made him both responsible for and accountable to the people. When people were anointed, God empowered them to accomplish his tasks ( 1 Samuel 10:6) We learn from Bible how highly God esteems His anointed. He says “touch not my anointed and do the prophets no harm” – Psalm 105:15

The circumstances surrounding David’s anointing signified how wrong human judgement could be. In our verse for today, we see how God denounces Saul and chooses a new King for the nation of Israel. He directs prophet Samuel to go to Jesse’s house, for there hailed the incoming King of Israel. When Samuel arrives, Jesse calls all his available sons, of which the Lord approves none. In Jesse’s mind, any of the sons he presented to the prophet was fit to be King over Israel but the Lord did not share the same sentiment. So Samuel enquired, and Jesse called for his overlooked son, David, who tendered sheep in the wilderness. When David arrives the spirit testifies to the prophet that he was to rule Israel and so the prophet goes ahead and anoints him in front of his brothers.

Much is said in testimony of David in the days preceding his encounter with prophet Samuel. He was a shepherd who cared dearly for his sheep, the Bible accounts that there were instances David fought off wild animals like bears and big cats who tried to prey on his sheep. All of this went unnoticed by his father but the Lord saw him, the Lord saw his heart and deemed him fit to be King over Israel.

I am certain many of us can relate to David’s predicament prior his anointing. In service to God and man, we give ourselves wholly, offer enormous sacrifices and sometimes put people ahead of us, and yet we seem to be overlooked by the powers that be anytime a blessing we deserve is coming our way. There are many people harboring grief and discontent because they gave their all for a cause and got unnoticed in the end. Today, I want us to encourage ourselves with the story of David. I cannot begin to imagine how many times he put his life on the line for his sheep, but all that while God was looking. The same applies to us. For every sacrifice, God is taking note, and your day of blessing is coming. It will not pass you by, even if you live in the wilderness. The anointing that’s meant for your head will hold out until you’re called home. This is the word of the Lord, Amen!