“The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” 2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 1 Samuel 16.1-3
Fill Your Horn with Oil!
That phrase must have become a common saying during biblical times — although it’s nothing I’ve ever heard before. It’s comparable to “wipe the dust off your feet and keep going.”
When the Lord spoke to Samuel — an amazing feat in itself — He asked, “Why are you still mourning Saul?” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Fill your horn with oil and be on your way!” In other words, “Come on, Samuel, get going — there’s work to be done!” But God didn’t stop there. He gave Samuel specific instructions about what He was going to do, and it’s a story worth retelling.
God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse — a story we know all too well. At Jesse’s house, Samuel was to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king, even though Saul was still king. God instructed Samuel to “take a heifer and make a sacrifice to the Lord.” God told him to invite Jesse and assured him, “I will show you what to do.” Interestingly, God didn’t reveal the whole plan to Samuel. He only gave him part of it, with the rest to be revealed as Samuel obeyed and fulfilled God’s purposes.
The message I hear from this story is not to stay stuck in the past. Previous disappointments, setbacks, and failures cannot hinder God’s work. The Lord was preparing to do a new thing in Israel while using the same old prophet, Samuel. Secondly, when we prepare to work for God, He doesn’t reveal the entire plan to us all at once. Instead, He shows us step by step, so we walk by faith and remain actively engaged in His work.
This story makes me reflect on the work I’m currently doing at Truett Seminary. We began this work four years ago on a shoestring budget, with a veteran camp and retreat guy (me) and a legendary, world-renowned theologian (Billy Abraham). We started with just two students, no offices, no money, and a dream. By God’s grace, we built the Wesley House of Studies, which now serves over 200 students and has raised $12 million. This wasn’t because of me or Billy — it was because God was up to something big. And to think, we started in August 2020, right in the middle of COVID!
God often calls us to do the impossible and the unimaginable. Showing up at Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons as the future king — while Saul was still king — seemed ludicrous. But God had a plan, and He had a faithful servant in Samuel to carry it out.
So today, God tells each of us: “Fill your horn with oil” and be about the business of building God’s kingdom. We don’t know where it will lead or how it will grow — but with God, all things are possible.
“O Lord God, you are so good and faithful. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for allowing us to know you and participate in building your kingdom and making disciples. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Grant me the grace to obey your word and follow your Spirit. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.