Leadership Lessons from King David Part VI

Be Kind to People

When we think of David, we think of a strong person – a strong leader who was a warrior and a king over an entire nation. This guy is got to be tough, resilient, unflinching, and made of steel. Yes, David is all of that but we also see a kindness in the way he treats people. This is especially seen in the story of (2 Sam.9:1-13), one of the most moving stories in the Bible.

David was a kind leader who wanted to honour his friends and their families. He wanted to “show God’s kindness”. He had not forgotten his promise to Jonathan (1 Sam.20:15, 42)

Mephibosheth, though crippled in his feet, had his family’s land restored to him and always ate at David’s table, simple because of his father, Jonathan’s, friendship with David. He became like one of the king’s sons. David had experienced God’s kindness, undeserved favour, and he often acknowledged this. 2 Sam 22:51. “He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever." NIV

Ps 18:35. You have also given me the shield of your salvation; your right hand has held me up, your gentleness (you stoop down – NIV) has made me great. NKJV

As leaders, God has given us a degree of authority. That authority is to be used for ‘building people up’ not tearing them down. Yes, there are times where we need to confront, but even then we are called to ‘speak the truth in love’.

When we use our authority to encourage people and to show kindness to them, it can have a powerful impact. How do you treat the ‘little people’? Small acts of kindness go a long way! It could be as simple as – a smile, a hello, an apology, a ‘thank you’ (Bill Hybels story), an expression of interest, or a small gift. Be Aware of Your Vulnerability to Temptation

Story of David committing adultery with Bathsheba is well known, as are the ongoing negative consequences of his actions (see 2 Sam.11:1-27). David sends Joab off to battle and decides to stay home in Jerusalem (vs.1). Maybe David is getting tired of fighting the battles himself and thinks that he can take a back seat now. It is now about 10 years since he became king. Has complacency set in? The ark of God is out in the field of battle, not at home with David (vs.11). As a result, he places himself in a vulnerable position. There is no urgent cause or purpose to which he is directing his energies. This puts him in a situation where he is distracted, tempted and then drawn away into sin.

David breaks four of the Ten Commandments (Ex.20:13-17). This sin brought the death penalty (Lev.20:10. Deut.22:22). One sin leads to another and to further deceit. David commits adultery then tries to get Uriah to sleep with his wife so he’ll think that the baby is his. However, Uriah responds nobly and in so doing puts David’s actions to shame. David then plots Uriah’s death.

David had shamelessly violated God’s laws and he had abused his royal power, which the Lord had entrusted to him to shepherd the Lord’s people (5:2; 7:7-8).

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Here is a man after God’s own heart who has been lifted from the sheepfold and into a place of prominence and influence. God has been good to him and he loves the Lord with all his heart. But, oh the depth of sinfulness in the heart of every man! David lets down his guard and then makes some decisions with awful consequences. He forgot or shunned God’s law in his heart and deceived himself into thinking it would be okay. He got caught up in a wed of temptation set by the enemy.

Thankfully, when confronted (2 Sam.12) David’s response was “I have sinned against the Lord”. No excuses, no “back-peddling”, no rationalisation or self-justification. He was forgiven, though the consequences of his sin continued to haunt him the rest of his life.

What a lesson for us today. How vulnerable are we! We are made of the same stuff and have the same potential for such senseless sin. God preserve us from this kind of evil. Lead us not into temptation!

Many years ago, I heard some training by Ken Williams (Wycliffe) on The Battle for Sexual Purity and I found it very insightful.

• Sexual sin is rarely the result of a blow-out. Almost always, it's the result of a slow leak. It's a slide, not a sudden fall. Every person caught in adultery said, “I never thought it would happen to me!”

• Understand the process of sexual sin. See the wisdom of God's ways and the consequences of disobedience.

• There are 5 stages in an inappropriate relationship – (1) appropriate interaction, (2) inappropriate levels of openness, (3) unwise amounts of time together, (4) inappropriate physical touch, (5) over the line.

• 2 and 3 create an ‘emotional connection’ or attachment.

• Establish some ‘early warning’ signs. Don’t wait until you’re near the edge of the rapids!

Some reflection questions:

• How are you going in the area of sexual temptation?

• Married people – any inappropriate emotional connections? Do you have appropriate boundaries (time, location, actions, etc)?

• Single people - any inappropriate physical touch?

King David a warrior after God's heart

The name "David" means one who is well beloved. He was born the eighth and youngest

son of Jesse, a resident of Bethlehem. He was the great grandson of Ruth (who wrote the

book of Ruth) and Boaz (Ruth 4:22).

At a young age he tended his father's sheep, a job usually reserved for the least esteemed

of the family or its servants. The prophet Samuel makes a special trip to Bethlehem and

anoints him the next king of Israel. God chose David to replace Saul who would someday

lose his life because he departed from His ways.

A few years after his anointing, David fights and takes the life of Goliath the giant, who was

a Philistine living in Gath. His basic faith led the future king to conclude that God would

ultimately defend those who are his, something the entire Israelite army lacked the faith to

accept. Their focus was on how experienced and physically powerful was the enemy's

champion Goliath.

When the Israelites saw Goliath, they ran away in terror . . . David said to Saul, 'Your

Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him.' (1Samuel 17:24,

32)

A true giant!

From a human standpoint, Goliath had the size and strength to defeat almost anyone. He

stood roughly 9 feet, 3 inches (2.8 meters) tall. His protective battle coat, conservatively,

was 78 U.S. pounds (35.4 kilograms) heavy! The spear he used in battle was likely 26 feet

(7.9 meters) long, with its head alone weighing 17 U.S. pounds (7.7 kilograms). Without

faith, it would have been nearly impossible for King David to have defeated such a foe!

Because of a contention over the throne, King David ruled only the tribe of Judah after the

death of Saul. His rule over one tribe, which began when he was about 30, lasted seven and

one-half years. After this time, all the elders of Israel acknowledge him as the sole ruler over

all the tribes.

He continues to have a colorful life even as king. Shortly after becoming ruler over all Israel,

he attacks the Jebusites in Jerusalem and captures the city. This is why, to this day,

Jerusalem is also called the 'city of David.' It becomes the new capital over a united Israel

and the place where he lives. After a few missteps, he eventually brings the Ark of the

Covenant into the city. As ruler, he carries out successful military campaigns against the

Amalekites, Ammonites, Edomites, Moabites, Philistines, and Syrians.

Self-inflicted wounds

Unfortunately, many of David's problems are self-inflicted. His illicit affair with Bathsheba, the

arranged murder of her husband and attempt at cover up his sins cost him grief, dishonor,

the life of a child and trouble within his household.

The sin of taking a census to determine the size of his army, instead of trusting God, cost

the lives of more than 70,000 Israelites. His lack of discipline in his own house contributed

to his son Absalom rebelling against him and another son Adonijah seeking to inherit the

throne instead of Solomon.

The life of King David ends shortly after proclaiming his son Solomon the next ruler of Israel.

He dies at the age of seventy after ruling God's people for forty years. The pivotal events

and people that occurred while he lived include being anointed leader of Israel as a youth,

slaying Goliath the giant, overtaking the Jebusites in Jerusalem and makes the city his

capital and bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. He also writes at least 77 of

150 Psalms found in the Bible.