Studies in Leadership Saul & David

Leadership: An Old Problem Matthew 9:38 "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest."

Essential Leadership Qualities 1 Timothy 3 – Character Qualifications Faithulness: the Essential Ingredient –The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 –And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4 –"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chron. 16:9

Sauls & David: Background The People Wanted a King God Gives Them What They Want Saul Initially Seems a Humble, Godly Man Problems Arise – 13:5-14 David Annointed In Place – 16:11-13 –Filled with the Holy Spirit’s Power 17:45 –Saul Became Jealous 18:7-9 –Saul Becomes a Desperate Power-Monger and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.“ 1 Samuel 8:5 He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people. 1 Samuel 9:2 The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7 Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?” 1 Samuel 9:21 Then the people said to Samuel, "Who is he that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death." [13] But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished deliverance in Israel.” 1 Samuel 11:12-13 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. 1 Samuel 17:45 The women sang as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands." [8] Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him… 1 Samuel 18:7-8

Why the Changeover? David is no Saint –Lies, Manipulates –Bathseeba Incident: Adultry & Murder David’s Heart: Inclined Towards God Saul’s Heart: a Religious Heart –“Humility” was Insecurity & Unwillingness God’s Issue: Our Hearts, not Appearance David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, 'Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.' 1 Samuel 21:2 "The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people…" 1 Samuel 13:14 Samuel said,"Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. [23] "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,He has also rejected you from being king." - 1 Samuel 15:22-23 Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said, "Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance? 1 Samuel 10:1 Therefore they inquired further of the Lord, "Has the man come here yet?" So the Lord said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage." 1 Samuel 10:22 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Paths to Success Gifted, Charsimatic Self-Reliant (Predictability) Short-Term Reward Self-Protective  Willing  God-Reliant (Unpredictability)  Long-Term Success  Changeable It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Cor. 12:11 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. 1 Cor. 12:31 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy… 1 Cor. 14:39 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 1 Samuel 18:8 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; [24] And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 David said, “See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you.” 1 Samuel 24:11 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philip. 4:13 The righteous thrive in the midst of unpredictable change: “The righteous shall live by faith” Rom. 1:17 Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the Lord! I have carried out the command of the Lord." 1 Samuel 15:13

David’s Path to Success “Leave the past, engage the present, and create the future” –Leave the Past: Repentance –Engage the Present: Depending on God –Create the Future: Pursuing God’s Direction “People who are stuck don’t have any dreams” Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…”

Faithfulness: Prosperous In All Areas! “So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered…” 1 Samuel 18:5 “David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 18:30 "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chron. 16:9