Samuel Anoints David King

“The Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1.AGP 78.3

Samuel came to Jesse, and requested to see his sons. When David was brought before Samuel, the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:12, 13.AGP 78.4

Thus David entered upon his career as had Saul, with the prophetic call and anointing. But how different was his later career from that of Saul! Of his death it is written: “He died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor.” 1 Chronicles 29:28. As for his life and reign, the record states: “David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” 1 Kings 15:5.AGP 78.5

Like Saul he was favored with inspired counselors. During his early life, before being notified by Samuel that God hadAGP 78.6

chosen him to be the king over His people, he had the godly example, instruction, and influence of the great prophet Samuel. From the time of his anointing for the kingship he had the privilege of association and intercourse with this same Samuel. “So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.” 1 Samuel 19:18. In the home of the prophet he found comfort and encouragement when he was a fugitive from the malevolent wrath of King Saul. Until Samuel’s death David honored and respected him as God’s messenger.AGP 79.1