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AS THOUGH HE HAD NOT BEEN ANOINTED

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2 Samuel 1:21 KJV 1900

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, Neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, The shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

1 John 2:20 KJV 1900

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 john 2:2

AS THOUGH HE HAD NOT BEEN ANOINTED

AS THOUGH HE HAD NOT BEEN ANOINTED

One of the most sadden, regrettable and heartbreaking passages in the Bible is that which records David’s lament over the death of Saul. And in all that deeply moving elegy perhaps the most sorrow-laden sentence is this:

“For there the … mighty is vilely cast away, … as though he had not been anointed with oil.”

Thinking of King Saul’s head, that once had towered so high, rolling in its own blood in the dust at the flash of a Philistine sword, the sweet singer of Israel remembered how once it had been sleek and fragrant with the oil of consecration, and felt that this was the saddest feature of the tragic scene. “As though he had not been anointed.”

That is not just ancient history. It is a tragedy which is being reenacted in our day.

Some have erred from the faith as if they had never been anointed

Arnold of Rugby, the famous English educationist, tells how, when publicly reciting the Apostles’ Creed in the school of which he was headmaster, he latterly inserted sotto voce

(of singing or a spoken remark) in a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard.)

the phrase “used to” between the “I” and the “believe.”

“I used to believe in God the Father Almighty.…”

Arnold of Rugby, the famous English educationist, tells how, when publicly reciting the Apostles’ Creed in the school of which he was headmaster, he latterly inserted sotto voce the phrase “used to” between the “I” and the “believe.” “I used to believe in God the Father Almighty.…”

MacPherson, I. (1976). Usable Outlines and Illustrations (p. 27). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. the phrase “used to” between the “I” and the “believe.” “I used to believe in God the Father Almighty.…”

“believe.” “I used to believe in God the Father Almighty.…”

MacPherson, I. (1976). Usable Outlines and Illustrations (p. 27). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Some have fallen in morals as though they had never been anointed

I shall never forget the dismay with which I read Ray Botz. Having in my youth listen to so many of his songs and having formed a high opinion of the personal splendor of the man, I was utterly shaken by this devastating exposé of his alleged gay lifestyle and shameless life. “As though he had not been anointed.”

Some have discontinue from the fellowship as though they had never been anointed

There is an interesting story relating to the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” In days of long ago, a lady traveling by stagecoach was intently engaged over one particular page of a little book with evident enjoyment. Turning to her fellow passenger, she held the open page toward him and, pointing to the hymn she had been reading, asked his opinion of it. The gentleman glanced at the first few lines, but read no further, and, turning away, evaded the question, endeavoring to direct the lady’s attention to some other topic. She, however, again approached the subject, telling her fellow traveler of the wonderful blessing she had derived from the hymn, and expressing her great admiration of its sentiments. For a time the stranger appeared unmoved by the lady’s appeal, till at length he burst into tears. “Madam,” he said, “I am the poor, unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I possessed them, to enjoy the feelings that I then had!” (from D. J. Beattie, The Romance of Sacred Song).

MacPherson, I. (1976). Usable Outlines and Illustrations (pp. 27–28). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.