Leadership

1 Samuel 18:1-2, 5
“1 WHEN DAVID had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own life. 2 Saul took David that day and would not let him return to his father's house… 5 And David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he prospered and behaved himself wisely; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was satisfactory both to the people and to Saul's servants.”

David had just killed Goliath and presented himself to King Saul. Verse 2 tells us that his acts of faith and obedience “brought him before great men” and that “his gift made room for him” (Proverbs 18:16). He was entering a level of training to become the man he needed to be to fulfill his destiny…..King.

David was under Saul’s leadership – even though Saul was a bad leader: That’s where God placed him for a time of training and internship. In Matthew, Jesus told the people to listen and learn from the Scribes and Pharisees. What they were teaching was right and they should do what the Scribes and Pharisees SAY...BUT, don’t DO what they DO. Wouldn’t it be nice to be under the leadership of a good king, a man of great character, a man with a heart after God? Well it doesn’t always happen that way. Because of this, we should look at this example in God’s Word carefully.

David learned a great deal of what he needed for future kingship, even under poor leadership – a rebellious, self-centered King Saul. David followed the Lord’s leading on a daily basis in obedience to the king, even though he knew he was anointed to be king. He “behaved himself wisely” and waited on the Lord by “actively serving” until his place in history would be settled. He honored the Kingship, even though he knew that King Saul wasn’t a man of honor. God placed him in that role, and we are blessed when we give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). David knew that principle and practiced it at every level of his journey and at every opportunity.

So, no matter what is happening in the “head”, we still can learn so many valuable lessons and get valuable training for the days ahead. Bless God for where you are. Be full of thanksgiving and praise Him for your situation. Only God knows what the blessings and outflow from your life will be for enduring these situations.

Saul treated David badly…..yet he trusted him to do things he didn’t trust anybody else to do. He knew David’s character was good and stable. 1 Samuel 18:12-16 tells us that:
"12 Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. 15 And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them."

Saul’s fear of David’s anointing didn’t stop Saul from trying to destroy this good man. You may run into the same situation in your own life or may have already seen it in the lives or your friends.

The works of the flesh were very evident in Saul’s life. He was very jealous of David. The Bible tells us that when envy and jealousy are present, so are all the other works of the flesh (James 3:16). It’s not a pretty picture. It must have seemed like his problems were never going to end, but David remained steadfast in following God’s ways. He went through physical and personal attacks. He had to go into hiding. It wasn’t easy for David. It was it was a very hard seven years before he became King and then he wasn’t fully king at that point. More had to transpire to get him into full position. But, God had someone in his corner….Jonathon.

Through this difficult time in David’s life, he had an armor-bearer and friend. God sends those along side of us in life to help us. We in turn help them. We are to be by each others’ side to help each other along, especially in difficult times. We are to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and to “encourage each other daily in the Lord” (Hebrews 3:13)…..that’s the only way we will make it to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for us on this planet. Are you holding up the progress of someone else by not being the armor-bearer God called you to be? Is someone going through unnecessary battles alone because you are failing to lift them up?

Just like David, there may not be very many at our side at times, but numbers don’t matter. Here is where the “quality” vs. “quantity” factor really applies. It’s the quality of the relationships, not the quantity that help us stand and not fall. Every one needs an “Aaron and a Hur” to hold us up in battle.

Just as in David’s situation, the time comes when the ministry relationship has to end. The grace for the time under that leadership lifts, and we must take our destiny position and/or sometimes move on to instruction under another leader, prophet, pastor, teacher, etc. Sometimes it’s a situation where we have to “shake the dust” from our feet. Listen to God carefully. He will bring you out into that purpose as you walk with integrity and “behave yourself wisely”.