"Now therefore, let your hands be strong and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead,"1
David had been anointed king over Israel 12 years before Saul died. We see the story from the perspective of being able to read the scriptures, but from the peoples perspective only Judah accepted Samuel's anointing of David as king, the rest believed that Saul was the appointed king by God. David would seem to have been coming against the authority of such an appointment. We also see an example of standing for God, in this anointing of God, fearing God above men, and we see his submissive heart before God, who would exalt him in due time.
David could have taken the kingdom by force, he could have killed Saul on two occasions, but he didn't. He stood in the anointing of God but he was accused and cursed by people because he stood against Saul. Surely this would have been viewed by many as coming against the authority of God. We see some lessons in such, he was anointed by God, he did not take the kingdom by force, he submitted to God. It is the principle of humbling yourself before God and God will exalt you in due time. It shows the trial we must face, refinement, where endurance is needed, and it shows how God's timing is important. But also we see a warning.
Saul the scriptures say was used by God to fight off the Philistines and to establish the kingdom. His leadership was for a purpose and for a season. But because he cared more about the glory of men and was not humbly submissive before God, David would be God's chosen anointed king. It was 12 years later that Saul dies before there is hope of this. But Abner, Saul's chief adviser tries to take control and the fighting continues for another two years until Abner sets up a meeting with David to finally accept him as king. Now one would think it would end there but David's chief adviser knives Abner in a dark alley. David cries out, when will it ever end.
David had been anointed king over Israel 12 years before Saul died. We see the story from the perspective of being able to read the scriptures, but from the peoples perspective only Judah accepted Samuel's anointing of David as king, the rest believed that Saul was the appointed king by God. David would seem to have been coming against the authority of such an appointment. We also see an example of standing for God, in this anointing of God, fearing God above men, and we see his submissive heart before God, who would exalt him in due time.
David could have taken the kingdom by force, he could have killed Saul on two occasions, but he didn't. He stood in the anointing of God but he was accused and cursed by people because he stood against Saul. Surely this would have been viewed by many as coming against the authority of God. We see some lessons in such, he was anointed by God, he did not take the kingdom by force, he submitted to God. It is the principle of humbling yourself before God and God will exalt you in due time. It shows the trial we must face, refinement, where endurance is needed, and it shows how God's timing is important. But also we see a warning.
Saul the scriptures say was used by God to fight off the Philistines and to establish the kingdom. His leadership was for a purpose and for a season. But because he cared more about the glory of men and was not humbly submissive before God, David would be God's chosen anointed king. It was 12 years later that Saul dies before there is hope of this. But Abner, Saul's chief adviser tries to take control and the fighting continues for another two years until Abner sets up a meeting with David to finally accept him as king. Now one would think it would end there but David's chief adviser knives Abner in a dark alley. David cries out, when will it ever end.
We hear his frustration.
This backstabbing, jealousy, dissension we see all throughout the kingdom. David evens adds to it himself when he betrays a trusted adviser, having him killed to cover sleeping with his wife. Malachi the prophet speaks of the people crying out against such leaders who were emboldened to continue in authority without repentant hearts, the people say "what does it pay to serve God." Of course we see 400 years of silence before the ultimate change of authority takes place. The hypocrisy of these leaders discouraged the people, and it was the failure of these leaders to have hearts submissive to God that God would remove them.
On his death bed David is revealing of all this mess to his son, such causes Solomon to cry out to God, give me wisdom and understanding! Of course God did and much more, but Solomon's heart eventually turns from God so God splits the Kingdom into both a northern and southern kingdom. We see the story of Judah who after seeing the other sisters, Israel, Sodom, and Samaria turn from God and being punished, they too follow that example and became captives in a foreign land.
It is important to have wisdom and understanding in leadership but without submissive hearts before God, all of this will come to nothing. We see David, his persistent example of a heart toward God, he makes mistakes, he falls down, he gets back up, he is surely not a quiter. I have been called many names but a quiter I am not, God likes this about me, he gave me a nickname that speaks to such. David ran for many years, before being crowned king. One leader was thrown into a pit, forsakened by family, sold into slavery, sent to prison... surely such godly leadership doesn't come easy.
Recently God gave me insight, to show me an example of a repentant heart, submissive before God in my Pastor. I say this for the glory of Christ, it is His example to us. Many men have never seen and desperately need such an example, the 1 Peter 5 example of authority. Men who love Jesus will follow such a man because they know he has a heart submissive to Christ. Not the Pharisaical external show of false piety, but a true submissive heart to God. With all the things that can happen within our organizations, it is this greatest thing that leaders can give, this example of a heart submissive to Christ.
Above All
This backstabbing, jealousy, dissension we see all throughout the kingdom. David evens adds to it himself when he betrays a trusted adviser, having him killed to cover sleeping with his wife. Malachi the prophet speaks of the people crying out against such leaders who were emboldened to continue in authority without repentant hearts, the people say "what does it pay to serve God." Of course we see 400 years of silence before the ultimate change of authority takes place. The hypocrisy of these leaders discouraged the people, and it was the failure of these leaders to have hearts submissive to God that God would remove them.
On his death bed David is revealing of all this mess to his son, such causes Solomon to cry out to God, give me wisdom and understanding! Of course God did and much more, but Solomon's heart eventually turns from God so God splits the Kingdom into both a northern and southern kingdom. We see the story of Judah who after seeing the other sisters, Israel, Sodom, and Samaria turn from God and being punished, they too follow that example and became captives in a foreign land.
It is important to have wisdom and understanding in leadership but without submissive hearts before God, all of this will come to nothing. We see David, his persistent example of a heart toward God, he makes mistakes, he falls down, he gets back up, he is surely not a quiter. I have been called many names but a quiter I am not, God likes this about me, he gave me a nickname that speaks to such. David ran for many years, before being crowned king. One leader was thrown into a pit, forsakened by family, sold into slavery, sent to prison... surely such godly leadership doesn't come easy.
Recently God gave me insight, to show me an example of a repentant heart, submissive before God in my Pastor. I say this for the glory of Christ, it is His example to us. Many men have never seen and desperately need such an example, the 1 Peter 5 example of authority. Men who love Jesus will follow such a man because they know he has a heart submissive to Christ. Not the Pharisaical external show of false piety, but a true submissive heart to God. With all the things that can happen within our organizations, it is this greatest thing that leaders can give, this example of a heart submissive to Christ.
Above All