Page 103 - Foundations

Samuel Anoints Saul as King

We observed that Saul’s authority did not end when he began to act wickedly. Out of jealousy Saul
attempted to kill David on multiple occasions. Saul slaughtered an entire village of priests. Saul took
the wife of David and gave her to another man. Saul consulted with a medium. Saul failed to carry
out the commandments of Yahweh when he was instructed to destroy a wicked people and all they
possessed. Nevertheless, in the very midst of Saul’s career of evil, David refused to lift his hand
against Saul, for he recognized him as God’s anointed.

This is a profound matter, and one that few Christians understand today. Satan occupies a position
of authority that is not only recognized by God, but that was granted to him by God. Satan’s authority
is not solely the result of Adam bowing to him. Satan has been from the beginning an anointed
cherub. He was created to occupy a very high office and has been entrusted with great authority. I do
not doubt that the specific authority Yahweh entrusted to Satan pertained to his rule over the earth
long before the time of Adam. (I will provide some scriptural evidence of this momentarily.)

Mankind knows very little of Satan’s career before he became conceited and fell into sin. Humanity’s
first encounter with this anointed cherub was in the garden of Eden when he approached the man and
the woman through the persona of the serpent. At that time Satan had already corrupted his ways. He
came to tempt the man and woman to turn away from obedience to God and to transgress Yahweh’s
commandment.

Although Satan seeks to masquerade as an angel of light, and his human servants disguise themselves
as workers of righteousness, his rule is one of darkness and evil. Nevertheless, Satan’s rule and
authority continues by the will of God. Like King Saul after judgment was pronounced upon him by
the prophet Samuel, Satan stands condemned and the just reward for his evil deeds is assured. At this
time the judgment has not yet been executed. Satan continues in his evil reign, promoting rebellion
against God, rewarding wickedness, and persecuting the righteous. He knows, however, that the day