kings and in fact distinguishes Israelite kingship from other monarchies of the ancient Near East.11 DAVID’S ANOINTING IS a turning point in the books of Samuel (see Bridging Contexts section of 16:14–23). So far, we have learned that God’s first and best plan was to rule Israel himself as her only king, just as he had done in her early history. But because of Israel’s military and political needs and her selfish demands, God chose to rule Israel by means of human anointed ones