THREE ANOINTINGS
The three anointings indicated a threefold ministry. David was the only one among mankind who received three anointings.
1. At his Father’s house and in the midst of his family.
1 Sam 16:12-13 (NIV) So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
2. Over the house of Judah.
2 Sam 2:4-10 (NIV) Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, “The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”
3. Over the house of Israel.
2 Sam 5:1-3 (NIV) All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'” 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
Following the third anointing David moved against Zion and captured it.
THE PURPOSE OF anointING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
There were three offices to which people were anointed in the Old Testament. These offices were never united in one person and any attempt to perform the duties of all three ministries was to presume and God judged such a one
THE RESULTS OF PRESUMPTION
Uzziah
2 Chr 26:15-21 (NIV) In Jerusalem he made machines designed by skilful men for use on the towers and on the corner defences to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful. 16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. 18 They confronted him and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.” 19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him. 21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house —leprous, and excluded from the temple of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
Saul
1 Sam 13:6-14 (NIV) When the men of Israel saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings. ” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 13 “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
THE THREE OFFICES
i. Prophets: ministered the Word.
1 Ki 19:16 (NIV) Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
ii. Priests: the ministry of reconciliation.
Exo 30:20 (NIV) Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made to the LORD by fire,
See also Ps. 133 Lev.8:1-13.
iii. Rulers: the Ministry of Reigning.
1 Sam 10:1 (NIV) Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?
See also 1.Kings.1:34-39.
THE EXCEPTIONS
There were three notable exceptions. Only three persons were permitted to embrace the three offices, three ministries in one person:
i. Moses: Prophet, Priest and Ruler, builder of the Tabernacle of Moses.
ii. David: Prophet, Priest and Ruler, builder of the Tabernacle of David.
iii Jesus. Prophet, Priest and Ruler, Builder of the true tabernacle, the Church.
THE THREEFOLD CHURCH
The Ecclesia as the body of Christ partake of the threefold anointing by the Holy Spirit. He is now the anointing. The church is called to the ministry of the WORD, the ministry of RECONCILIATION, and the ministry of RULING, reigning with authority in Christ Jesus our Lord. Read Pslm.133.
Psa 105:15 (NIV) “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.”
2 Cor 1:21 (NIV) Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us
1 Pet 2:5-9 (NIV) you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Rev 1:6 (NIV) and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Rev 5:10 (NIV) You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
We are the body of Christ and members in particular. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is shown to be vital to the function of these three ministries. As the Chrisma (the anointing ) he seals the individual to this threefold ministry.
Luke 4:18 (NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
Acts 10:38 (NIV) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
1 Cor 12:27 (NIV) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 John 2:27 (NIV) As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
THE AUTHORITY TO SET UP THE TABERNACLE
Only after receiving the three anointings of prophet, priest and ruler was it possible for David to erect a tabernacle for the Ark. In the authority of those three anointings he established the order of worship at the tabernacle on Mount Zion.
As in many other fulfilments of the purpose of God, the story of the tabernacle is another example for us and is fully revealed in the N.T. church.
Those who still cling to the older pattern in the church and fail to add the liberating teachings from the Davidic order are typified by the nature of the worship found in their midst. The difference of emphasis is seen by comparing the tabernacle of Moses and the tabernacle of David.
The chosen dwelling place of God is ongoing and no one can be complacent or forget the pilgrim nature of our ministry. There is more to be revealed as the church moves on to the complete fulfillment of the three ministries in the House of God.