3,897. Which Kings Were Anointed

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 1:10

If someone applies the anointing oil to a king or Kohein Gadol who was already anointed, he is exempt, as per Exodus 30:33: “One who places from it on an outsider” and these are not “outsiders” when it comes to this oil. However, if a person—even a king or a Kohein Gadol—rubs it on himself, he is liable, as per verse 32: “It may not be rubbed on the flesh of a man,” which includes all men. If a Kohein Gadol takes the anointing oil from his head and rubs it on his abdomen, he is liable to the penalty of kareis (spiritual excision) if it was an olive-sized volume.

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 1:11

A king may only be anointed next to a spring. A king who is the son of a king is not anointed because the monarchy is a hereditary position for the permanent king, as per Deuteronomy 17:20: “He and his descendants in the midst of Israel.” If there is a dispute as to succession, the new king is anointed to settle the dispute and send the message that he is the only king. For example, Shlomo was anointed because of the dispute caused by Adoniyahu, Yoash was anointed because of Atalyah’s coup, and Yehoachaz was anointed because of his (older) brother, Yehoyakim. Regarding Elisha anointing Yehu, the Sages have a tradition that he did so with balsam oil rather than the anointing oil.