The Season of Election: Chosen Through Process
“Many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14
When the prophet Samuel went into the house of Jesse, he carried a vial of oil. He was sent to anoint the next king of Israel. Just because David was anointed didn’t mean he was already king. The anointing was a sign that he was called and set apart for the journey—but the throne came later.
This is where many people get it wrong. After receiving a dream or vision, they assume they’re ready to walk in the fullness of it. But the calling is just the beginning.
David had the oil, but not yet the crown. He had the anointing, but not the authority. The anointing separates you for the process. The vision shows you're called, and maybe even chosen—but election takes time, testing, and obedience.
Don’t rush the process. Being called doesn’t mean you're ready to sit on the throne—yet.
1. The Anointing Doesn’t Equal Appointment
The moment David was anointed, he was called into the palace—but not to sit on the throne. He was called to serve.
Imagine this: you've just been told you’re the next king of Israel. The prophet has anointed you, the promise is spoken—and then, you're invited to the palace. But not to wear a crown… instead, you’re asked to serve.
This is the part many people struggle with. We expect instant elevation after the anointing, but David shows us that the call to greatness begins with the call to humility. Before sitting on the throne, David had to stand in service. Anointing marks you, but service molds you.
The moment he was anointed, he was summoned—not to reign—but to serve the current king, Saul.
“But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. Then David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer.” – 1 Samuel 16:14, 21
This shows us a principle: God will often place you under the very office He’s calling you to—but in the posture of service. You will learn through exposure, not through entitlement.
2. Exposed to Weakness for Wisdom
Just like Samuel witnessed Eli’s flaws, and David saw Saul’s battles, God allows you to see the weaknesses of those ahead of you—not to judge, but to prepare you.
“Touch not my anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” – Psalm 105:15
Many are exposed to the weaknesses of their leaders—like Saul—and immediately assume that God is revealing these flaws because He’s anointing them to replace them. They believe the leader's weakness is their opportunity. But they miss the point. God is not saying, “Expose the leader.” He is saying, “Learn from their weaknesses.”
The truth is, those weaknesses often come with the office. The weight of leadership reveals certain struggles that are common to the position. So the question is not, "Why is my leader failing?" but rather, "If I were in that seat, would I fall the same way—or would I overcome?"
Some assume, “I’m being shown Saul’s flaws because I’m better than Saul.” No, you’re not better than Saul. You're being shown the cost of the crown.
David wasn’t just exposed to Saul’s weaknesses—he was being prepared. He was being told, “As king, there may come a time when you too will feel tormented. But if you choose worship, you will overcome.”
So God wasn’t just revealing the failures of Saul; He was also revealing the power of worship. David saw both the struggle and the solution. He learned that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about posture.
When God begins to expose you to the weaknesses of those He has appointed, it’s not for criticism—it’s for instruction. Learn well, because your time may be coming.
3. The Test of Honor in a Time of Power
David could have killed Saul multiple times. He had the army, the opportunity, and the justification. But he restrained himself.
“I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.” – 1 Samuel 24:10
This is the test of submission. David refused to take the throne by force because he understood that elevation must come from God. Many lose their place because they refuse to wait and try to establish themselves outside of God’s timeline.
4. Hidden, Yet Effective
Even while serving Saul, David was unrecognized.
“Then Saul said to Abner, ‘Whose son is this youth?’” – 1 Samuel 17:55
David was playing the harp for Saul, helping him in private, but still hidden. You can be anointed, active, and still hidden. Your moment will come—but it must come through God's timing, not your own ambition.
5. Relationship and Recognition
It was David’s relationship with Jonathan, Saul’s son that positioned him to be recognized. Jonathan could have fought for the throne, but he acknowledged the call on David’s life and supported it.
“You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you.” – 1 Samuel 23:17
Jonathan symbolizes divine affirmation—God will use relationships to confirm what He’s placed on your life.
Have you ever also asked why did Jonathan willingly release his position? It was because of David’s attitude and character.
David was being celebrated, but he never allowed the praise to provoke pride. He never challenged Jonathan’s position or tried to take the throne by force. In fact, if it were up to David, he would have chosen for Jonathan to become the next king—even though he had already been anointed.
David’s humility spoke louder than ambition. And because of that, Jonathan said, “You will be king instead of me.” (1 Samuel 23:17)
The challenge many face today is the inability to recognize key relationships that God has placed in their lives. Pride blinds them to divine connections. It takes humility—and the willingness to serve others—to see and honor those relationships properly.
If David had been arrogant, Jonathan would have seen him as a threat. But because David walked in honor, Jonathan saw him as God's choice—and supported him.
6. Elected Through Endurance
The throne didn’t come to David because of the oil alone—it came because of his obedience, honor, and humility. Many are anointed but never see the fullness of their calling because they abort the process.
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
To be chosen is not just to be anointed, but to be processed. God elects those who endure.
Final Thought: Can You Be Hidden While Anointed?
You may be in a season where you're seeing the weaknesses of those ahead of you, yet still called to serve. You may be celebrated, but not yet appointed. You may have the strength to fight, but God asks you to yield.
One might wonder, what is the season of election? The season of election is the moment when David was seated on the throne. He had been anointed, but it took a process for him to arrive at this appointed time.
The season of election is the time when you sit on the throne of your destiny—when the full manifestation of God’s calling on your life is revealed. It’s the moment when all the preparation, the trials, and the waiting finally culminate in the fulfillment of your purpose.
But here’s the challenge: many never qualify for this season because they fail to embrace and endure the process. They want the throne, but they don't appreciate the journey that leads to it.
Are you willing to endure the process, knowing that it will prepare you for the promotion? The throne of your destiny will come—but only if you endure and learn along the way.
Can you endure the season of hiding, so that when the throne is released, you’ll sit in it as God’s choice—not mans’?
