How are we to view leadership? How were Saul and David as leaders over Israel? In 2 Samuel 5 David was finally anointed king over all of Israel and in 2 Samuel 5:2 the people say to David that “when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’ ” While Saul was sitting upon the throne of Israel it was David who was among the people helping and leading them. It is amazing to think that David who was a shepherd of his fathers flocks of sheep was using the same skills as he shepherded the people of Israel. David truly was a king with a shepherd’s heart. Is true leadership found in the title of a person or is it in their actions? As time passed Saul became consumed with his reputation among men and the security of his kingship all the while David was shepherding the people of Israel.
It is critical that a leader is someone willing to serve and help those under their authority because the moment it becomes a quest for power the foundation of leadership crumbles. The dependance upon God that David consistently displayed in his life made him stands out over Saul. Was Saul a better leader when he first became king? As Saul drifted away from God did his leadership wain? When a leader with a shepherd’s heart also seeks to love God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength will truly be a strong leader because their foundation is built upon God alone. These qualities that David exhibited gave him victory in Battle over the Jebusites within Jerusalem and the Philistines. How will David’s leadership stand the test of time? I look forward to seeing how the story unfold as I continue reading through the Old Testament.
In times of celebration when people are happy and finding great joy in the Lord to you ever feel bitter, sad, or angry? When the Ark of the Lord was brought to Jerusalem it was a time of great celebration compared to the despair and loss that was felt when the Ark was taken captive by the Philistines. It was a time for music and dancing in the streets because God was in their midst and a shepherd king was ruling over Israel. How would you feel if you were in the city as the Ark entered? Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife, did not find joy and happiness when the Ark of the Lord came to Jerusalem. She was jealous and ashamed of David’s celebration before God. Why could she not find joy in the Lord? Were the concerns and worries of life so consuming to Michal that she looked away from God? In moments when I lose focus on God and look toward the temporary instead of the eternal I easily lose joy in life because the worries that consume my mind become all I look at. In the moments when you feel down and you lack joy in the midst of joyful moments I encourage you to turn back to God and give up the worries that cloud your mind and focus on the faithfulness of God.
