The Anointing of Kings and Global Rule in Scripture
The anointing of kings in Scripture signifies their consecration to a holy or sacred office, often marking their inauguration into leadership [2, 1]. This practice was common among the Hebrews and other ancient Near Eastern cultures [1]. Anointing with oil was a rite of inauguration for prophets, priests, and kings in the Jewish commonwealth [1, 2].
The term "Messiah" (Hebrew: Mashiach) directly translates to "anointed one" and is equivalent to the Greek word "Christ" (Christos) in the New Testament [3, 10]. While kings of Israel were called "anointed" due to their consecration with holy oil, the term also refers to the expected Prince who would fulfill God's purposes and redeem His people [3]. Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:10 is considered the first instance in Scripture where the word "anointed" or "Messiah" appears in a prophetic sense, referring to Christ [11, 15].
Kings in the Bible are described as chief rulers with supreme authority over a nation, tribe, or country [4]. The act of anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him [2]. For example, David was anointed king (1 Samuel 16:13), and Solomon was appointed by God to be prince over Israel and Judah, sitting on David's throne [5]. The kings of David's dynasty were chosen to establish God's kingdom throughout the earth [12].
However, the concept of global rule extends beyond earthly kings. The Bible applies the term "King" to God as the sovereign ruler of the universe and to Christ as the head and governor of the Church [4]. The Psalms speak of kings and rulers taking counsel against Yahweh and His Anointed (Messiah), indicating opposition to God's established order in the world [7, 10, 12]. Despite this opposition, Christ is prophesied to have a universal and everlasting kingdom [8]. Daniel 11:36 describes a king who exalts himself above every god, but his prosperity is temporary, as God's determined plan will be accomplished [9].
The New Testament confirms that Jesus, as the appointed and anointed Son of God, fulfills the role that earlier kings failed to achieve [12]. All believers are also considered "the Lord's anointed" in a secondary sense, receiving divine grace, similar to how kings, prophets, and priests were anointed [6]. The book of Revelation further describes believers as being made "kings and priests" by Christ [13]. While angels are said to have authority over the existing world, the "world to come" is not subjected to them, implying a different order of rule [14].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Anointing — in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material--with oil--or II. Spiritual--with the Holy Ghost. I. MATERIAL.-- + Ordinary . Anointing the body or head with oil was a common practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the head with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a host to his guests. (Luke 7:46) and Psal 23:5 + Official . It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their o”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anoint — The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isa. 21:5), refers t”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Messiah — (anointed). This word (Mashiach) answers to the word Christ (Christos) in the New Testament, and is applicable in its first sense to any one anointed with the holy oil. The kings of Israel were called anointed, from the mode of their consecration. (1 Samuel 2:10,35; 12:3,5) etc. This word also refers to the expected Prince of the chosen people who was to complete God's purposes for them and to redeem them, and of whose coming the prophets of the old covenant in all time spoke. He was the Messiah, the Anointed, i.e. consecrated as the king and prophet by God'”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: King — "a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country."--Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the sub”
- 1 Kings “Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne; for he shall be king in my place. I have appointed him to be prince over Israel and over Judah.” -- 1 Kings 1:35”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Unction — (1 John 2:20, 27; R.V., "anointing"). Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed, in token of receiving divine grace. All believers are, in a secondary sense, what Christ was in a primary sense, "the Lord's anointed."”
- Psalms “The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying, -- Psalms 2:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the King — Foretold -- Nu 24:17; Ps 2:6; 45:1-17; Isa 9:7; Jer 23:5; Mic 5:2. Glorious -- Ps 24:7-10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. Supreme -- Ps 89:27; Re 1:5; 19:16. Sits in the throne of God -- Re 3:21. Sits on the throne of David -- Isa 9:7; Eze 37:24,25; Lu 1:32; Ac 2:30. Is King of Zion -- Ps 2:6; Isa 52:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5; Joh 12:12-15. Has a righteous kingdom -- Ps 45:6; Heb 1:8,9; Isa 32:1; Jer 23:5. Has an everlasting kingdom -- Da 2:44; 7:14; Lu 1:33. Has an universal kingdom -- Ps 2:8; 72:8; Zec 14:9; Re 11:15. His kingdom not of this world -- Joh 18:36. Sai”
- Daniel “The king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper until the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done. -- Daniel 11:36”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 2:2: The kings and rulers lead on their subjects. set themselves--take a stand. take counsel--literally, "sit together," denoting their deliberation. anointed--Hebrew, "Messiah"; Greek, "Christ" (Joh 1:41). Anointing, as an emblem of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, was conferred on prophets (Isa 6:1); priests (Exo 30:30); and kings (Sa1 10:1; Sa1 16:13; Kg1 1:39). Hence this title well suited Him who holds all these offices, and was generally used by the Jews before His coming, to denote Him (Dan 9:26). While the prophet has in view men's opposition gene”
- 1 Samuel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Samuel 2:10: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth . . . exalt the horn of his anointed--This is the first place in Scripture where the word "anointed," or Messiah, occurs; and as there was no king in Israel at the time, it seems the best interpretation to refer it to Christ. There is, indeed, a remarkable resemblance between the song of Hannah and that of Mary (Luk 1:46).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 2:2: 2:2 The kings hate the Lord’s established order in the world, so they desire to be independent of him (see 36:4). They scheme about dominating the Lord’s people (31:13; see 83:1-4). Their goal is to subvert the Lord’s rule in the world by overthrowing his anointed one (or his messiah); the Lord chose the kings of David’s dynasty to establish his kingdom throughout the earth. The New Testament confirms that Jesus, the appointed and anointed Son of God (Acts 4:26; 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5), fulfills the role in which these earlier kings failed.”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 1:6: And hath made us kings and priests,.... The Alexandrian copy, and Complutensian edition, read, "a kingdom, priests"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "a kingdom and priests"; and the Arabic version, "a kingdom of priesthood"; reference seems to be had to Exo 19:6, "and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests"; which the Jerusalem Targum renders, "ye shall be unto me", , "kings and priests"; and so the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel paraphrases it thus, "and ye shall be before me", "kings" crowned with a crown, "and priests" ministering. Hence it is a common saying wi”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 2:5: For--confirming the assertion, Heb 2:2-3, that the new covenant was spoken by One higher than the mediators of the old covenant, namely, angels. Translate in the Greek order, to bring out the proper emphasis, "Not the angels hath He," &c. the world to come--implying, He has subjected to angels the existing world, the Old Testament dispensation (then still partly existing as to its framework), Heb 2:2, the political kingdom of the earth (Dan 4:13; Dan 10:13, Dan 10:20-21; Dan 12:1), and the natural elements (Rev 9:11; Rev 16:4). and even individuals (”
- 1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 2:10: 2:10 The king was to fulfill the descriptions of 2:4-9 by using his God-given power to care for the oppressed, the hungry, and the barren (see Ps 72:1-4, 12-14; Prov 31:8-9). • he increases the strength: See study note on 1 Sam 2:1. • anointed one (Hebrew mashiakh): This climax to Hannah’s prayer is prophetic both of Israel’s anointed kings and of God’s supreme Anointed King—the Messiah, Jesus Christ (see 12:3-5; 24:6, 10; Ps 132:17; Dan 9:25-26).”