Leadership Lessons from King David
A man after God’s own heart.
Israel’s King David was, without a doubt, a great leader. Men were willing to follow him even before he was king, and even when he was on the run and had to hide in the desert. God referred to him as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22), which is some of the highest praise anyone gets in the Bible.
Though no one reading this (sure being read by we at the Graceful Pillars) will ever have a chance to be king, we do have opportunities to lead in different ways. And after looking at David’s life for a talk on the whole Goliath incident, I noticed several ways in which his story shows us what we need to be God’s kind of leader — a man after God’s own heart.
In this article, I will state each lesson will start with a related Scripture, an observation about David, the principle and the actions we can emulate about leadership.
1. To be God’s Leader requires OBEDIENCE: 1 Samuel 17:17–20
Observation:
As much as David is a curious person, who Ofcourse will be interested to see the fight, but we know how so much he loves to keep the sheep. Now I am imagining, what will have happened if he didn’t go as commanded or let’s say he did it later because he was busy? Well maybe the whole story of King David will have taken a different dimension by God’s wish but yeah, he obeyed. David didn’t grumble? He didn’t complain, he did as commanded.
Q1: What is that thing you have been commanded to do, what you plan to do later? Save a soul? (but you were thinking what will you say to the person) Go for Evangelism? (but you feel people will laugh you) Give to the poor (but you feel you don’t have enough)?
Principle:
David Obedience was a huge step for him to fulfill or commence the destiny journey. As much tiny as that act seems, that was the step that birthed the whole journey of saving the Israelite
Call to Action:
No matter how inconvenient it is, as a leader, obey your commandant. Believe God when you are commanded to execute an action. Be Obedient.
2. To be God’s leader requires COURAGE in God: 1 Samuel 17: 26–27,37
26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Observation:
When Goliath came out to challenge the army of Israel, everyone was afraid of the 9-foot giant. Besides being king, Saul was a head taller than any other Israelite (1 Samuel 9:2). So when the giant Goliath came out to challenge the army of Israel, I’m sure people were looking to him to do something. Instead, he was “dismayed and terrified” (1 Samuel 17:11), just like everyone else except for David. I imagined the kind of confidence he must have had to speak to the fearful men who stood by him. What aroused in his heart? Was he even seeing Goliath at all? David had confidence not just because of his ability from experience fighting lions and bears while guarding his father’s sheep but he was so certain the Lord will deliver him. The kid brother ends up comforting the scared king, assuring Saul that he’d take care of it (1 Samuel 17:32). And you probably know what happens next.
David was brave because he knew Who had his back. If you’re on God’s side, then there is nothing to fear — not even death.
Though our giants might look different today, there is still evil in the world that we need to stand up against. We need not be afraid if our hope is in the Ruler of the universe.
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? — David (Psalm 27:1)
Principle:
The experience and God gave David the confidence to fight the Philistine. Just as David was (from a human point of view) in fighting lions and bears he was also at a disadvantage when fighting Goliath. However, the confidence he had in the Lord gave him the ability to stand against Goliath.
Q1: Who gat your back?
People were seeing a great giant, David was seeing a mere animal!😬
Q2: When the challenge arouse as a leader what are you seeing?
Call to Action:
As a leader of God, you should put all your confidence in God
3. To be God’s leader requires FAITH.1 Sam 17:34–37
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
Observation:
Throughout all of this, David showed that he had faith in God. He believed that God was in control. God had promised that David would be king, and since he wasn’t king yet, that meant Saul couldn’t kill him. Same with Goliath. When others brought up doubts, David pointed to evidence of how God had taken care of him in the past (1 Samuel 17:33–37). He trusted that God would continue to keep His promises.
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. — David (Psalm 31:14–15)
Principle:
A leader can place his faith in God’s future provision based on past circumstances where God provided guidance and help. A leader always go back to their past steps on how to over the same issue
Call to Actions
When an issue or something similar repeats itself again, remember what you did and how God helps you to overcome the previous
4. To be God’s Leader, KNOW YOUR WEAPON. 1 Samuel 17: 38–40, 45–47
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
Observation:
One of the things you will observe in the first scripture paragraph is that David wasn’t trained with armor, he was used to his staff, stone, and sling. So when a similar issue occurred, despite the amazing tools, enticing protections, he couldn’t walk with it and so he insisted on using his tool. Now some of us, when we have a familiar challenge, we forget easily about the “fasting and praying” approach that we have been built with, just because there was a logical way to resolve issues. You know when you crumble, and cry that your uncle or boss will pity you instead of going into the prayer room and take charge of the situation. Yes, God has given us all the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to solve problems but the question is, to that approach you want to apply, where was the source? Logical or Biblical?
In the second scripture, I observed that the approach the battle was won was based on two things: The approach (tool) and To what end (prove).
Goliath came with sword, spear and a Javeline to give David’s flesh to the birds in the air and the beast of the beast to prove champions while
David came with the name of the lord of the host to prove that there is God in Israel.
Now it’s very clear, to what end are you solving that problem as a leader? For selfish interest or God’s kingdom interest? What are using to solve the problem, your expert skill or God’s direction?
Principle:
It is very issued to lose any battle, fall like a toddler if you aren’t doing a thing for the right reason. Walking in Righteousness of the law (Self Righteousness, Trying to please God by what you do), or doing things for an appraisal is as good as not identifying yourself as kingdom stewardship.
Call to Action:
As a leader, identify what your weapon of war is: prayer and learn how to use it
5. To be God’s Leader requires HUMILITY: 1 Samuel 18:4–6
4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
Observation
So you’re a lowly shepherd boy, and you’re chosen as king by the guy who’s in charge of such things. What do you do? If you’re David, would you go back to taking care of sheep?
When he does get called up to the palace, instead of demanding the throne, he works as a servant. He performs music for the king whenever Saul demands it, like a human iPod.
When his dad asks the anointed king to serve snacks to his older brothers, he serves snacks to his older brothers.
Despite all his power, he still behaved wisely and go on any errand Saul sent him.
David was humble. He knew that even without asking, he was still just a servant of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? — David (2 Samuel 7:18)
Principle:
Leaders are Humble. Leaders don’t control or command, they serve. Even as a Leader, you remain a servant to everyone. Leader’s leads by serving others!
Call to Action:
Choose to remain humble and never too full of yourself at any point. As a leader, lead by serving others.
6. To be God’s leader requires GRACE. 2 Sam 24:10
10 And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Observation:
Perhaps the most surprising thing about David being “a man after (God’s) own heart” is that he’s just as well-known for his mistakes as his successes. This is someone who slept with the wife of one of his friends, tried to cover up the resulting pregnancy, and had the husband killed when that cover-up didn’t work. He abused his power at times, wasn’t known as a great father or husband, and would sometimes lie when it suits his purposes.
Why would God have anything to do with lying, adulterous murderer? It says more about God’s character than David’s. The one thing David did was recognize when he was wrong and repent.
Principle
Being a good leader doesn’t mean making the fewest mistakes; it means being open about them and being quick to ask forgiveness and get back on the right path.
Call to Action
7. To be God’s Leader requires LOVE: 1 Samuel 24 vs 3–11
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.7 So David stayed his servants with these words and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way. 8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth and bowed himself. 9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee, and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
Observation:
Relating this briefly to our flesh point of view, anyone could have described David as a foolish man because Saul has been looking for the slightest way to kill him. Saul came to that abode just to make sure he sees that David is been killed. Saul was sure ready to acknowledge anyone that gets David killed and you know what? God brought David’s enemies life into his hands and he still went and kneel down to beg him 😱 David went for settlement instead of reciprocating with evil! All I see here is LOVE in his highest operation. How could he?
David's heart was free from all guilts. He has love. He couldn’t have paid evil with evil. God gave him permission to do whatever he seems good to his enemy, yes, with the love he knows to have not reciprocated evil with evil is the good thing. This is Love.
Principles
Leaders heart is full of love. No hatred, no condemnation. Leaders are ready to bring other people up in love not condemning them with hatred words. As a leader, your followers see you as a confident cause they know you love them. They know you will forgive them. They know you won’t bring them down, rather you will show them, love.
Call to Actions:
Love your neighbour as yourself. As a leader, serve “All” with Love.
8. To be God’s Leader, you need to understand that Life is a Journey: 1 Samuel & 2 Samuel
As you look at an overview of David’s life, you can see that it was a journey through various seasons and phases. Some were incredibly joyful and victorious, while others were very dark and discouraging.
Brief timeline:
- 13 years old — Defeat of Goliath, service in Saul’s court, then a fugitive
- 17 years old — anointed and prophesied over (great future). David’s destiny was revealed at a young age when he was anointed by the prophet Samuel in front of his brothers. This was the sovereign choosing of God based on David’s heart condition.
- 30 years old — anointed king in Hebron over Judah (7.5 yrs)
- 37.5 years old — anointed king in Jerusalem over Israel (33 yrs)
- 70 years old — died (40 yrs asking)
At no time did David have the full picture, other than a few glimpses along the way. His life had to be a walk of faith, trusting in God each step of the way, sometimes in very contradictory circumstances. Yet through it, all God was at work in and through David’s life.
observations
- God raises a leader progressively over time, gradually increasing their influence. He makes the person along the way, building character and perseverance. Over time his circle of influence spreads, as does his favor.
- It took many years for God’s will to come to pass. David was attacked and tried in various ways. At times it didn’t seem like God’s word would come to pass.
- David’s promotion to prominence was gradual. First, he fought in the army under Saul, then he was made king over Judah, then Israel and eventually he had international influence. David was patient along the way and allowed God to promote him.
- If we are faithful in little things, we will be entrusted with greater responsibilities. David proved faithful in caring for his father’s sheep before being called to shepherd God’s flock (1 Sam 16:11; 17:34–35; Ps 78:70–72).
- Spiritual growth takes time. David was anointed as king by Samuel when he was about 17 years old (1 Sam 16:12–13). He would not rule over all Israel, however, until many years later (5:4–5). A toadstool can spring up overnight, but mighty trees don’t grow quite that fast.
- David began and ended his ministry by acknowledging the absolute sovereignty of God in the lives of his people (1 Sam 17:46–47; 1 Chron 29:10–15). David recognized God’s hand and call on his life. He gave God credit for his leadership influence. He realized that his destiny was for the nation, not for his ego.
Call to Action:
What about you? Is it a high season or a low one? Are you in a fulfillment phase or a frustrating one? In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus talks about being ‘yoked’ to him. Are you running ahead, lagging, or keeping ‘in step’ with him in your journey? Take a review. Work in your season and Enjoy every phase. “This phase too shall pass”
In Summary,
I have learned a great deal from how I pictured a leader should be from whom a leader is (Using David as an example).
Happy bible study 😍
