The Anointed One

“The utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel.”

2 Samuel 23:1b

David is remembered as the great king of Israel. Yet at the end of his life, what stood out most was not merely his strength, his victories, or his success in leading the nation. David is remembered as the one anointed by God.

He did not come from a royal family. He was simply the son of Jesse, a shepherd from Bethlehem. His life was humble, his journey was long, and his process was not easy. David experienced victory, but he also experienced failure. He showed great faith, but he also committed serious sin. Yet in the middle of it all, one thing stood out in his life: David was willing to return to the Lord.

Here we begin to understand the meaning of anointing more clearly. Anointing is not a sign that someone is perfect. Anointing is a sign that God chooses, shapes, and uses a person for His purpose. David did not become king because he was the greatest. He became king because God was pleased to lift him up.

In 2 Samuel 23, David speaks his final words. Looking back on his life, he realizes that his kingdom did not stand because of political power, military strategy, or human ability alone. Everything stood because of God’s promise and faithfulness. David even says that the Spirit of the Lord spoke through him. This means that his life and leadership were under the work of God.

Then David gives a picture of a righteous leader:

“When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise...”

2 Samuel 23:3–4

This is a beautiful picture. A true leader does not rule with ego, anger, or personal ambition. A true leader leads with righteousness and the fear of the Lord. Their presence is like the morning light: bringing hope, freshness, and life.

In the light of the Davidic Covenant, David’s anointing did not end with himself. God promised that from David’s descendants would come the true King. This promise became the foundation of the hope for the coming Messiah, the Anointed One.

From the perspective of Judaism, the Messiah is understood as a descendant of David who will bring restoration, justice, peace, and renewed faithfulness to God. The Messiah is the awaited King, the One who will establish God’s reign among His people. Therefore, David becomes a sign of hope. Even though Israel experienced destruction, exile, and dark times, God’s promise remained alive.

In the Christian faith, this hope reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of David, but He is also the Son of God. He is the promised King, yet His kingdom is not built by violence. He reigns through love, truth, the cross, and the resurrection.

David once defeated the enemies of Israel, but Christ defeated humanity’s greatest enemies: sin, death, and the powers of darkness. David led Israel as an anointed king, but Christ leads His people into the eternal Kingdom of God. David is the shadow. Christ is the fulfillment.

Therefore, when we read about David as the anointed one, our eyes should not stop at David. We are directed to Christ, the true Messiah. He is the righteous King. He is the morning light who brings new life. He is the Leader who rules not with ego, but with love and truth.

Faith in Christ as the Anointed One must not remain only as a confession on our lips. It must be seen in daily life, especially in the Christian household. The family is called to be a little church at home. This means that Christ is not only honored in Sunday worship, but also obeyed in the way the family lives each day.

If Christ is King, then He must be King over our home. He is not merely a guest in our prayers. He is not only a name mentioned before meals. He must become the center of our decisions, conversations, habits, and the way we treat one another.

A Christian household does not have to be perfect. There will be differences of opinion, conflicts, weaknesses, and wounds. But a home led by Christ learns to respond differently. When there is conflict, the family learns to seek peace. When there is wrongdoing, the family learns to apologize. When there is hurt, the family learns to forgive. When decisions must be made, the family learns to ask: What pleases the heart of God?

David reminds us that even an anointed person still needs to be shaped. The same is true for a Christian family. A household led by Christ is not formed in a single day. It is shaped through small acts of faithfulness: praying together, even briefly; having honest conversations; being willing to listen; having the courage to apologize; being patient with one another’s weaknesses; and deciding not to let ego become king in the home.

So the important question for every family is this: Is Christ truly King in our home? Does He rule the way we speak? Does He lead the way we make decisions? Is He present in the way we handle conflict? Is His love seen in the way we serve one another?

May every Christian household learn to live under the reign of Christ. May our homes become places where love is stronger than ego, forgiveness is greater than wounds, and the fear of the Lord is more important than personal desire.

For a home led by Christ is not merely a place to live. It becomes a place where faith grows, love is practiced, character is formed, and the name of the Lord is glorified. Amen.

A TRUE LEADER RULES WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD