1. King Saul: Initially chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, Saul's disobedience and pride ultimately led to his rejection by God. (1 Samuel 15:23, 1 Samuel 16:14)
2. King David: Although known as a "man after God's own heart," David also faced periods of sin and rebellion, including adultery and murder, which resulted in consequences and a temporary loss of God's favor. (2 Samuel 11-12)
3. Samson: Blessed with incredible strength, Samson's downfall was his repeated disobedience and weakness for Delilah. He lost his strength and was eventually captured by the Philistines. (Judges 13-16)
4. Solomon: While known for wisdom and prosperity during his early reign, Solomon's later years were marked by idolatry and turning away from God, leading to the division of the kingdom. (1 Kings 11:4-13)
5. The Israelites: As a nation, the Israelites repeatedly disobeyed God and turned to idolatry, leading to periods of captivity and judgment. (Judges 2:11-19, 2 Kings 17:1-6)
It's important to note:
* Anointing isn't a permanent possession: The Bible teaches that God's favor and anointing are not permanent, but depend on our obedience and faith.
* Restoration is possible: Even when we experience spiritual decline, God offers forgiveness and the possibility of restoration through repentance and seeking His grace.
Instead of focusing on a specific list of five people, we can learn valuable lessons from these examples about the importance of staying faithful to God and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives.