I. The “Anointing” Saul Gave Samuel

There once was an anointing which turned out disappointing,

For disappointment was the ointment poured out by the king.

The moment it hit Samuel’s head, he surely felt the dread.

I’m sure tears soaked his happily-ever-after bed.

Because Saul, bound by strict law –

“Must start on time, without a flaw” –

Failed to appreciate the grace

Of the Lamb who took his place

To cover sin within the camp,

That God’s light might shine like a lamp

Onto his army to give them peace.

Sure victory God would release.

But Saul, who felt the time a-ticking,

Feared his men might take a licking

If he didn’t do the motions

Which accounted for devotions.

He did what he knew to be good

But didn’t trust God as he should,

And when God’s own prophet ran late

This king decided not to wait.

He did not do as planned

But took matters into his own hand

Because he didn’t understand.

His faith was built on sinking sand.

Up one moment, down the next.

This poor man found himself quite vexed

With fear and doubt and hesitation,

No assurance of salvation.

Though by the Spirit He did great works,

It seems this man enjoyed few perks.

For when God moved, he prophesied,

But in the truth did not abide.

II. The Ointment of Disappointment

Oh, can you feel the ointment

Of soul-wrenching disappointment

Poured out in such a shocking way

Upon Samuel’s head that day?

The Holy Spirit couldn’t stay

Because King Saul did not obey

But served the Lord in His own might

(Oh, what a frightful sight!)

You see, when flesh does the anointing,

it’s always disappointing.

That’s because flesh and blood cannot reveal Jesus to you,

And you can’t find Him sleeping in a pew.

All man-made anointing

Shows itself as disappointing,

Like every meaningless tradition

Cloaked in religious superstition.

Oh, how we wish they would anoint

Our each and every joint

With love and peace and joy!

Instead, they choose to annoy

Like some bratty girl or boy.

Perhaps the answer is, don’t put God in a box.

Appreciate His love for you, much stronger than an ox.

It will not fail to heal your fear and dread,

If you’ll grasp the fact that Christ died in your stead.

Though people leave you when you need them most,

Trust in His power and of His mercy boast.

(Based on the story in I Samuel chapter 13)

Part I. The Anointing That Didn’t Last

A. The Anointing of King Saul

Anointing for ministry is only as powerful as the sacrifice behind it. How well do ministers understand that sacrifice?

I Samuel 10:1 tells us that the prophet Samuel poured a box (or flask) of oil on Saul’s head when he anointed him to be king. Oil in scripture can serve as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who came upon Saul mightily. The Holy Spirit empowered Saul to do his job as king. David, who succeeded Saul, acknowledged this fact continually.

David had great respect for God’s anointing on Saul’s life. Many times in scripture he refers to Saul as “The Lord’s anointed.” David did not dare harm Saul, because He knew God’s prophet Samuel had indeed anointed Saul.

Saul started out strong, following after God. His anointing didn’t last, however. That’s because he didn’t appreciate the truth supporting his anointing. As a result, he acted foolishly. This happened as he prepared to do battle against the Philistines. Samuel, the man God chose to make the sacrifice prior to waging war (I Samuel 13:8-10), had not arrived within the set time limit. As his men scattered from him, Saul panicked. He took matters into his own hands and sacrificed the burnt offerings and peace offerings himself. As a result, the Holy Spirit left him (I Samuel 16:14).

B. The Failure of Man-made Sacrifice

Like Cain, Saul discovered the hard way that you can’t earn God’s favor through your own labor. Think about it: Cain offered to God the fruit of the ground over which he had labored with his own blood, sweat and tears. Saul pretty much did the same thing – not by offering fruit and vegetables contrary to God’s law – but by stepping into the priest’s role. Saul, who was not a priest, made the sacrifice himself. Did he take the time to ponder the meaning behind the sacrifice? Not likely.

The point is this: Forgiveness of sins requires the shedding of blood. The Jews knew this. To escape Egypt, they had to sacrifice a lamb and place its blood upon their door posts. Moreover, the lamb must be spotless, without flaw or blemish. For Saul to offer such a lamb rashly – and improperly as well, was a foolish thing to do.

In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus tells a parable of ten virgins preparing for a wedding feast. Five, he says, were wise. They had plenty of oil. But five were very foolish. They let their oil run out.

This parable leaves much to ponder. For example, if oil represents the Holy Spirit, how could the foolish ones let it run out?

Saul, I believe, was like one of the foolish virgins. He started with the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit left him because of his disobedience.

But the Holy Spirit never left David.

Both kings were anointed. What was the difference?

C. Saul Got the Box; David Got the Horn

Well, we might want to consider the difference in symbolism, because Samuel used a box (or flask) of oil to anoint Saul. However, he used a horn of oil to anoint David. The story behind the horn, of course, goes all the way back to Abraham and the sacrifice that saved the one God called his “only son.”

It all points back to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, foreshadowed in the symbolism of this story. How well do ministers of this gospel understand the meaning behind that sacrifice? Do we rest on Christ’s finished work for us or choose to take matters into our own hands?

Tag: anointed

Human Versus Holy Spirit Anointing