Chapter 62—The Anointing of David
.
A few miles south of Jerusalem, “the city of the great King,” is Bethlehem, where David, the son of Jesse, was born more than a thousand years before the infant Jesus was cradled in the manger and worshiped by the Wise Men from the East. Centuries before the advent of the Saviour, David, in the freshness of boyhood, kept watch of his flocks as they grazed on the hills surrounding Bethlehem. The simple shepherd boy sang the songs of his own composing, and the music of his harp made a sweet accompaniment to the melody of his fresh young voice. The Lord had chosen David, and was preparing him, in his solitary life with his flocks, for the work He designed to commit to his trust in after years.
PP 637.1
While David was thus living in the retirement of his humble shepherd's life, the Lord God was speaking about him to the prophet Samuel. “And 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.... Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto Me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.” The elders accepted an invitation to the sacrifice, and Samuel called also Jesse and his sons. The altar was built and the sacrifice was ready. All the household of Jesse were present, with the exception of David, the youngest son, who had been left to guard the sheep, for it was not safe to leave the flocks unprotected.
PP 637.2
When the sacrifice was ended, and before partaking of the offering feast, Samuel began his prophetic inspection of the noble-appearing sons of Jesse. Eliab was the eldest, and more nearly resembled Saul for stature and beauty than the others. His comely features and finely developed form attracted the attention of the prophet. As Samuel looked upon his princely bearing, he thought, “This is indeed the man whom God has chosen as successor to Saul,” and he waited for the divine sanction that he might anoint him. But Jehovah did not look upon the outward appearance. Eliab did not fear the Lord. Had he been called to the throne, he would have been a proud, exacting ruler. The Lord's word to Samuel was, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” No outward beauty can recommend the soul to God. The wisdom and excellence revealed in the character and deportment, express the true beauty of the man; and it is the inner worth, the excellency of the heart, that determines our acceptance with the Lord of hosts. How deeply should we feel this truth in the judgment of ourselves and others. We may learn from the mistake of Samuel how vain is the estimation that rests on beauty of face or nobility of stature. We may see how incapable is man's wisdom of understanding the secrets of the heart or of comprehending the counsels of God without special enlightenment from heaven. The thoughts and ways of God in relation to His creatures are above our finite minds; but we may be assured that His children will be brought to fill the very place for which they are qualified, and will be enabled to accomplish the very work committed to their hands, if they will but submit their will to God, that His beneficent plans may not be frustrated by the perversity of man.
PP 638.1
Eliab passed from the inspection of Samuel, and the six brothers who were in attendance at the service followed in succession to be observed by the prophet; but the Lord did not signify His choice of any one of them. With painful suspense Samuel had looked upon the last of the young men; the prophet was perplexed and bewildered. He inquired of Jesse, “Are here all thy children?” The father answered, “There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep.” Samuel directed that he should be summoned, saying, “We will not sit down till he come hither.”
PP 638.2
The lonely shepherd was startled by the unexpected call of the messenger, who announced that the prophet had come to Bethlehem and had sent for him. With surprise he questioned why the prophet and judge of Israel should desire to see him; but without delay he obeyed the call. “Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.” As Samuel beheld with pleasure the handsome, manly, modest shepherd boy, the voice of the Lord spoke to the prophet, saying, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” David had proved himself brave and faithful in the humble office of a shepherd, and now God had chosen him to be captain of His people. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of [from among] his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” The prophet had accomplished his appointed work, and with a relieved heart he returned to Ramah.
PP 641.1
Samuel had not made known his errand, even to the family of Jesse, and the ceremony of anointing David had been performed in secret. It was an intimation to the youth of the high destiny awaiting him, that amid all the varied experiences and perils of his coming years, this knowledge might inspire him to be true to the purpose of God to be accomplished by his life.
PP 641.2
The great honor conferred upon David did not serve to elate him. Notwithstanding the high position which he was to occupy, he quietly continued his employment, content to await the development of the Lord's plans in His own time and way. As humble and modest as before his anointing, the shepherd boy returned to the hills and watched and guarded his flocks as tenderly as ever. But with new inspiration he composed his melodies and played upon his harp. Before him spread a landscape of rich and varied beauty. The vines, with their clustering fruit, brightened in the sunshine. The forest trees, with their green foliage, swayed in the breeze. He beheld the sun flooding the heavens with light, coming forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber and rejoicing as a strong man to run a race. There were the bold summits of the hills reaching toward the sky; in the faraway distance rose the barren cliffs of the mountain wall of Moab; above all spread the tender blue of the overarching heavens. And beyond was God. He could not see Him, but His works were full of His praise. The light of day, gilding forest and mountain, meadow and stream, carried the mind up to behold the Father of lights, the Author of every good and perfect gift. Daily revelations of the character and majesty of his Creator filled the young poet's heart with adoration and rejoicing. In contemplation of God and His works the faculties of David's mind and heart were developing and strengthening for the work of his afterlife. He was daily coming into a more intimate communion with God. His mind was constantly penetrating into new depths for fresh themes to inspire his song and to wake the music of his harp. The rich melody of his voice poured out upon the air, echoed from the hills as if responsive to the rejoicing of the angels’ songs in heaven.
PP 641.3
Who can measure the results of those years of toil and wandering among the lonely hills? The communion with nature and with God, the care of his flocks, the perils and deliverances, the griefs and joys, of his lowly lot, were not only to mold the character of David and to influence his future life, but through the psalms of Israel's sweet singer they were in all coming ages to kindle love and faith in the hearts of God's people, bringing them nearer to the ever-loving heart of Him in whom all His creatures live.
PP 642.1
David, in the beauty and vigor of his young manhood, was preparing to take a high position with the noblest of the earth. His talents, as precious gifts from God, were employed to extol the glory of the divine Giver. His opportunities of contemplation and meditation served to enrich him with that wisdom and piety that made him beloved of God and angels. As he contemplated the perfections of his Creator, clearer conceptions of God opened before his soul. Obscure themes were illuminated, difficulties were made plain, perplexities were harmonized, and each ray of new light called forth fresh bursts of rapture, and sweeter anthems of devotion, to the glory of God and the Redeemer. The love that moved him, the sorrows that beset him, the triumphs that attended him, were all themes for his active thought; and as he beheld the love of God in all the providences of his life, his heart throbbed with more fervent adoration and gratitude, his voice rang out in a richer melody, his harp was swept with more exultant joy; and the shepherd boy proceeded from strength to strength, from knowledge to knowledge; for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him.
PP 642.2
84
PP
Patriarchs and Prophets
[{"para_id":"84.4","title":"Patriarchs and Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0001_eng_m_patriarchs_and_prophets_84_4.mp3#duration=221&size=1900814"},{"para_id":"84.17","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0003_eng_m_introduction_84_17.mp3#duration=1526&size=12341576"},{"para_id":"84.68","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Why was Sin Permitted?","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0005_eng_m_chapter_1_why_was_sin_permitted_84_68.mp3#duration=1762&size=14227219"},{"para_id":"84.117","title":"Chapter 2\u2014The Creation","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0006_eng_m_chapter_2_the_creation_84_117.mp3#duration=1281&size=10382444"},{"para_id":"84.155","title":"Chapter 3\u2014The Temptation and Fall","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0007_eng_m_chapter_3_the_temptation_and_fall_84_155.mp3#duration=1786&size=14422976"},{"para_id":"84.215","title":"Chapter 4\u2014The Plan of Redemption","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0008_eng_m_chapter_4_the_plan_of_redemption_84_215.mp3#duration=1310&size=10608266"},{"para_id":"84.254","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Cain and Abel Tested","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0009_eng_m_chapter_5_cain_and_abel_tested_84_254.mp3#duration=1101&size=8941609"},{"para_id":"84.289","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Seth and Enoch","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0010_eng_m_chapter_6_seth_and_enoch_84_289.mp3#duration=1564&size=12646761"},{"para_id":"84.336","title":"Chapter 7\u2014The Flood","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0011_eng_m_chapter_7_the_flood_84_336.mp3#duration=2163&size=17434964"},{"para_id":"84.399","title":"Chapter 8\u2014After the Flood","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0012_eng_m_chapter_8_after_the_flood_84_399.mp3#duration=984&size=8006443"},{"para_id":"84.428","title":"Chapter 9\u2014The Literal Week","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0013_eng_m_chapter_9_the_literal_week_84_428.mp3#duration=980&size=7968201"},{"para_id":"84.454","title":"Chapter 10\u2014The Tower of Babel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0014_eng_m_chapter_10_the_tower_of_babel_84_454.mp3#duration=988&size=8038095"},{"para_id":"84.488","title":"Chapter 11\u2014The Call of Abraham","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0015_eng_m_chapter_11_the_call_of_abraham_84_488.mp3#duration=1131&size=9182331"},{"para_id":"84.517","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Abraham in Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0016_eng_m_chapter_12_abraham_in_canaan_84_517.mp3#duration=2173&size=17519260"},{"para_id":"84.584","title":"Chapter 13\u2014The Test of Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0017_eng_m_chapter_13_the_test_of_faith_84_584.mp3#duration=1597&size=12909663"},{"para_id":"84.632","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Destruction of Sodom","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0018_eng_m_chapter_14_destruction_of_sodom_84_632.mp3#duration=2249&size=18126883"},{"para_id":"84.697","title":"Chapter 15\u2014The Marriage of Isaac","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0019_eng_m_chapter_15_the_marriage_of_isaac_84_697.mp3#duration=958&size=7796822"},{"para_id":"84.729","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Jacob and Esau","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0020_eng_m_chapter_16_jacob_and_esau_84_729.mp3#duration=907&size=7383942"},{"para_id":"84.758","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Jacob's Flight and Exile","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0021_eng_m_chapter_17_jacob_s_flight_and_exile_84_758.mp3#duration=1524&size=12322458"},{"para_id":"84.813","title":"Chapter 18\u2014The Night of Wrestling","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0022_eng_m_chapter_18_the_night_of_wrestling_84_813.mp3#duration=1139&size=9239501"},{"para_id":"84.852","title":"Chapter 19\u2014The Return to Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0023_eng_m_chapter_19_the_return_to_canaan_84_852.mp3#duration=1463&size=11835904"},{"para_id":"84.901","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Joseph in Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0024_eng_m_chapter_20_joseph_in_egypt_84_901.mp3#duration=1468&size=11871985"},{"para_id":"84.945","title":"Chapter 21\u2014Joseph and His Brothers","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0025_eng_m_chapter_21_joseph_and_his_brothers_84_945.mp3#duration=2849&size=22924300"},{"para_id":"84.1042","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0026_eng_m_chapter_22_moses_84_1042.mp3#duration=2215&size=17850740"},{"para_id":"84.1118","title":"Chapter 23\u2014The Plagues of Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0027_eng_m_chapter_23_the_plagues_of_egypt_84_1118.mp3#duration=2248&size=18117351"},{"para_id":"84.1195","title":"Chapter 24\u2014The Passover","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0028_eng_m_chapter_24_the_passover_84_1195.mp3#duration=879&size=7160131"},{"para_id":"84.1225","title":"Chapter 25\u2014The Exodus","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0029_eng_m_chapter_25_the_exodus_84_1225.mp3#duration=1265&size=10252263"},{"para_id":"84.1270","title":"Chapter 26\u2014From the Red Sea to Sinai","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0030_eng_m_chapter_26_from_the_red_sea_to_sinai_84_1270.mp3#duration=1748&size=14119371"},{"para_id":"84.1328","title":"Chapter 27\u2014The Law Given to Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0031_eng_m_chapter_27_the_law_given_to_israel_84_1328.mp3#duration=1924&size=15525318"},{"para_id":"84.1403","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Idolatry at Sinai","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0032_eng_m_chapter_28_idolatry_at_sinai_84_1403.mp3#duration=2261&size=18221900"},{"para_id":"84.1479","title":"Chapter 29\u2014Satan's Enmity Against the Law","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0033_eng_m_chapter_29_satan_s_enmity_against_the_law_84_1479.mp3#duration=1959&size=15801919"},{"para_id":"84.1538","title":"Chapter 30\u2014The Tabernacle and Its Services","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0034_eng_m_chapter_30_the_tabernacle_and_its_services_84_1538.mp3#duration=2195&size=17690270"},{"para_id":"84.1614","title":"Chapter 31\u2014The Sin of Nadab and Abihu","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0035_eng_m_chapter_31_the_sin_of_nadab_and_abihu_84_1614.mp3#duration=681&size=5576106"},{"para_id":"84.1631","title":"Chapter 32\u2014The Law and the Covenants","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0036_eng_m_chapter_32_the_law_and_the_covenants_84_1631.mp3#duration=1837&size=14831364"},{"para_id":"84.1687","title":"Chapter 33\u2014From Sinai to Kadesh","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0037_eng_m_chapter_33_from_sinai_to_kadesh_84_1687.mp3#duration=1982&size=15988920"},{"para_id":"84.1755","title":"Chapter 34\u2014The Twelve Spies","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0038_eng_m_chapter_34_the_twelve_spies_84_1755.mp3#duration=1229&size=9964295"},{"para_id":"84.1797","title":"Chapter 35\u2014The Rebellion of Korah","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0039_eng_m_chapter_35_the_rebellion_of_korah_84_1797.mp3#duration=1770&size=14292746"},{"para_id":"84.1859","title":"Chapter 36\u2014In the Wilderness","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0040_eng_m_chapter_36_in_the_wilderness_84_1859.mp3#duration=752&size=6145958"},{"para_id":"84.1887","title":"Chapter 37\u2014The Smitten Rock","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0041_eng_m_chapter_37_the_smitten_rock_84_1887.mp3#duration=1559&size=12605846"},{"para_id":"84.1932","title":"Chapter 38\u2014The Journey Around Edom","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0042_eng_m_chapter_38_the_journey_around_edom_84_1932.mp3#duration=1794&size=14480005"},{"para_id":"84.1988","title":"Chapter 39\u2014The Conquest of Bashan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0043_eng_m_chapter_39_the_conquest_of_bashan_84_1988.mp3#duration=795&size=6486871"},{"para_id":"84.2012","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Balaam","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0044_eng_m_chapter_40_balaam_84_2012.mp3#duration=2108&size=16996322"},{"para_id":"84.2085","title":"Chapter 41\u2014Apostasy at the Jordan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0045_eng_m_chapter_41_apostasy_at_the_jordan_84_2085.mp3#duration=1507&size=12190512"},{"para_id":"84.2127","title":"Chapter 42\u2014The Law Repeated","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0046_eng_m_chapter_42_the_law_repeated_84_2127.mp3#duration=1144&size=9279531"},{"para_id":"84.2163","title":"Chapter 43\u2014The Death of Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0047_eng_m_chapter_43_the_death_of_moses_84_2163.mp3#duration=1618&size=13076937"},{"para_id":"84.2214","title":"Chapter 44\u2014Crossing the Jordan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0048_eng_m_chapter_44_crossing_the_jordan_84_2214.mp3#duration=899&size=7320732"},{"para_id":"84.2245","title":"Chapter 45\u2014The Fall of Jericho","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0049_eng_m_chapter_45_the_fall_of_jericho_84_2245.mp3#duration=1742&size=14068632"},{"para_id":"84.2302","title":"Chapter 46\u2014The Blessings and the Curses","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0050_eng_m_chapter_46_the_blessings_and_the_curses_84_2302.mp3#duration=595&size=4893616"},{"para_id":"84.2326","title":"Chapter 47\u2014League With the Gibeonites","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0051_eng_m_chapter_47_league_with_the_gibeonites_84_2326.mp3#duration=798&size=6514447"},{"para_id":"84.2352","title":"Chapter 48\u2014The Division of Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0052_eng_m_chapter_48_the_division_of_canaan_84_2352.mp3#duration=1783&size=14395097"},{"para_id":"84.2414","title":"Chapter 49\u2014The Last Words of Joshua","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0053_eng_m_chapter_49_the_last_words_of_joshua_84_2414.mp3#duration=638&size=5230856"},{"para_id":"84.2434","title":"Chapter 50\u2014Tithes and Offerings","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0054_eng_m_chapter_50_tithes_and_offerings_84_2434.mp3#duration=841&size=6860831"},{"para_id":"84.2461","title":"Chapter 51\u2014God's Care for the Poor","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0055_eng_m_chapter_51_god_s_care_for_the_poor_84_2461.mp3#duration=1053&size=8556887"},{"para_id":"84.2499","title":"Chapter 52\u2014The Annual Feasts","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0056_eng_m_chapter_52_the_annual_feasts_84_2499.mp3#duration=895&size=7295049"},{"para_id":"84.2538","title":"Chapter 53\u2014The Earlier Judges","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0057_eng_m_chapter_53_the_earlier_judges_84_2538.mp3#duration=2305&size=18572249"},{"para_id":"84.2620","title":"Chapter 54\u2014Samson","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0058_eng_m_chapter_54_samson_84_2620.mp3#duration=1347&size=10903747"},{"para_id":"84.2666","title":"Chapter 55\u2014The Child Samuel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0059_eng_m_chapter_55_the_child_samuel_84_2666.mp3#duration=858&size=6994979"},{"para_id":"84.2698","title":"Chapter 56\u2014Eli and His Sons","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0060_eng_m_chapter_56_eli_and_his_sons_84_2698.mp3#duration=974&size=7926205"},{"para_id":"84.2726","title":"Chapter 57\u2014The Ark Taken by the Philistines","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0061_eng_m_chapter_57_the_ark_taken_by_the_philistines_84_2726.mp3#duration=1623&size=13118401"},{"para_id":"84.2786","title":"Chapter 58\u2014The Schools of the Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0062_eng_m_chapter_58_the_schools_of_the_prophets_84_2786.mp3#duration=1357&size=10986634"},{"para_id":"84.2832","title":"Chapter 59\u2014The First King of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0063_eng_m_chapter_59_the_first_king_of_israel_84_2832.mp3#duration=2090&size=16852428"},{"para_id":"84.2900","title":"Chapter 60\u2014The Presumption of Saul","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0064_eng_m_chapter_60_the_presumption_of_saul_84_2900.mp3#duration=1298&size=10515111"},{"para_id":"84.2946","title":"Chapter 61\u2014Saul Rejected","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0065_eng_m_chapter_61_saul_rejected_84_2946.mp3#duration=1628&size=13155078"},{"para_id":"84.2996","title":"Chapter 62\u2014The Anointing of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0066_eng_m_chapter_62_the_anointing_of_david_84_2996.mp3#duration=625&size=5130139"},{"para_id":"84.3013","title":"Chapter 63\u2014David and Goliath","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0067_eng_m_chapter_63_david_and_goliath_84_3013.mp3#duration=912&size=7430863"},{"para_id":"84.3043","title":"Chapter 64\u2014David a Fugitive","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0068_eng_m_chapter_64_david_a_fugitive_84_3043.mp3#duration=1684&size=13602444"},{"para_id":"84.3100","title":"Chapter 65\u2014The Magnanimity of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0069_eng_m_chapter_65_the_magnanimity_of_david_84_3100.mp3#duration=1928&size=15556963"},{"para_id":"84.3169","title":"Chapter 66\u2014The Death of Saul","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0070_eng_m_chapter_66_the_death_of_saul_84_3169.mp3#duration=896&size=7299463"},{"para_id":"84.3203","title":"Chapter 67\u2014Ancient and Modern Sorcery","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0071_eng_m_chapter_67_ancient_and_modern_sorcery_84_3203.mp3#duration=1038&size=8432302"},{"para_id":"84.3236","title":"Chapter 68\u2014David at Ziklag","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0072_eng_m_chapter_68_david_at_ziklag_84_3236.mp3#duration=1047&size=8504056"},{"para_id":"84.3274","title":"Chapter 69\u2014David Called to the Throne","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0073_eng_m_chapter_69_david_called_to_the_throne_84_3274.mp3#duration=850&size=6934447"},{"para_id":"84.3303","title":"Chapter 70\u2014The Reign of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0074_eng_m_chapter_70_the_reign_of_david_84_3303.mp3#duration=1915&size=15454149"},{"para_id":"84.3386","title":"Chapter 71\u2014David's Sin and Repentance","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0075_eng_m_chapter_71_david_s_sin_and_repentance_84_3386.mp3#duration=1669&size=13487871"},{"para_id":"84.3447","title":"Chapter 72\u2014The Rebellion of Absalom","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0076_eng_m_chapter_72_the_rebellion_of_absalom_84_3447.mp3#duration=2824&size=22727788"},{"para_id":"84.3535","title":"Chapter 73\u2014The Last Years of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0077_eng_m_chapter_73_the_last_years_of_david_84_3535.mp3#duration=1588&size=12835140"}]