Theocratic Anointing: From Israel's United Monarchy to Christ Jesus

~Third of three blogs on theocratic annointing~

Within Israel's United Monarchy, the first instance of theocratic anointing occurred when it was bestowed upon the nation's first king, Saul. The Holy Spirit fell upon him (1 Sam. 10:6, 10; 11:6) and made him a capable leader and warrior (1 Sam. 11:1-15). When that ministry departed Saul because of his disobedience and rejection of Yahweh (1 Sam. 15), he was rendered unfit by the Lord to be king (1 Sam. 16:14), and the anointing Spirit left him. Alternatively, the anointing came upon David and equipped him as a warrior, as evidenced by his defeat of Goliath (1 Sam. 16:13; 1 Sam. 17:50). Furthermore, the Spirit enabled David as the “sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1-2) and guided him as he created the plans for the Temple (1 Chr. 28:11-12).^[1]

Because of his sin with Bathsheba, David begged God not to take the enabling Spirit away from him (Ps 51:11, 12; cf. Ps 139:7; 143:10). He witnessed firsthand how the Spirit had departed from Saul and the results of Saul’s melancholy. Specifically, in Psalm 51:11, he stated, “Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” David, understandably, did not want his sin to separate him from God’s special anointing. He understood the ramifications of his iniquity, and he did not want to follow Saul’s example, which led to ineffective leadership and non-service to God..^[2]

After David’s kingship, it is logical to identify Solomon as a recipient of the Spirit’s anointing to promote the theocracy. King Solomon requested that God give him a heart of understanding to judge His people (1 Kings 3:9). God granted Solomon’s request and said, “Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you" (1 Kings 3:12). After the monarchy was divided, it’s also reasonable to assume that God’s enabling Spirit continued to be at work in Judah’s kings through the Messianic line. However, explicit mention of the ministry of the Spirit is linked to prophets (2 Chr 15:1; Dan 4:8-9, 18; 5:11,14; Neh 9:30; Zech 7:12), priests, and Levites (2 Chr 20:14; 24:20).{3}

Ultimately, in the Davidic Covenant, God promises that David’s house will last forever, leading to the understanding that the Messiah (Anointed One) will come from David's line (2 Samuel 7). Accordingly, Jesus was identified by the Spirit as the Messiah upon His baptism (Matthew 3:16). The Spirit’s anointing upon Christ fulfills Old Testament prophecy (Isa. 11:1-2; 61:1). Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1 as He acknowledged His fulfillment of prophecy. He stated, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19). The anointing of Jesus points to His ability to mediate where men failed. The program for God's kingdom, including Israel, will be brought to fruition by Christ.

It is beyond remarkable to come to this comprehension; it means that, in God’s sovereignty, everything has been ordained. Furthermore, Christ is able to keep and fulfill God's covenants. In the temporal environment and throughout eternity, God's promises are kept because of Who He is…a holy, loving, and unchanging God.

1. Doug Bookman, “The Old Testament ‘Theocratic Anointing’ of the Holy Spirit

The Rabbit Trail: The Official Blog of Bookman Ministries, posted February 27, 2009, accessed February 6, 2026, https://therabbittrail.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/the-old-testament-%E2%80%9Ctheocratic-anointing%E2%80%9D-of-the-holy-spirit/

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

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Acts 4:27

 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

Acts 10:38

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Hebrews 1:9

You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;

Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

With the oil of gladness above Your companions.