Last week we began a new series studying different attributes of King David. We know he loved God, but what made him tick
Last week we dealt with his faith that God called him into a battle bigger than himself. But he would be safe if he were willing to fight in God’s way. If he placed his faith in God, God would see him through his situation.
Today we are going to address the idea of honoring leadership. We need to honor leadership when we want to and when we need to honor leadership that doesn’t deserve the honor. As we go through this post today, I hope you are challenged to grow in your level of honoring authority.
As we begin today, let's start by reading 1 Samuel 18:6-16 (ESV)
Saul Was A Jerk
That portion of scripture intrigues me for a couple of reasons. I can’t help but wonder what might have happened if Saul had become broken in spirit enough to repent before the Lord. Could there have been a godly transition between David and Saul?
Almost along the way, we see transitions in Presidential leadership. You walk into that office, knowing one day you will leave that office. Typically nations with Kings it was for life and then passed on to the next generation.
But that is not what God had planned. It was not about a human king but the King of kings.
If Saul had allowed himself to have been humbled, might Saul have served David as an advisor? Would scripture have acquired another story of redemption? Those are just a few of the questions that can run through your mind.
Second, it is quite the display of character that David could serve Saul, the one he would replace as king. Finally, David knew that…
Saul was no longer God’s choice and he was.
He had just killed Goliath and was now the fan favorite.
That Saul’s reign was coming to an end.
Perhaps even the Lord’s displeasure with Saul.
In light of all of this, David still served Saul.
Saul was not right with God.
Saul had many character flaws.
Saul disobeyed God publicly and privately.
Saul was self-absorbed, insecure, competitive, jealous, and ambitious.
Saul was a terrible example of God’s anointed,
Yet David served him.
Saul, at that point in his life, was the worst example of a godly leader. He lived well below the standard of what we imagine to deserve the honor. Listen to some of the things that Saul does to David…
In 1 Samuel 18, he throws spears at David.
He also holds back the promised riches and his daughter for killing Goliath.
He tries manipulating David into fighting for him so the Philistines might kill him.
He gives his second daughter to David so that she might be a snare against him.
He throws spears at David again in chapter 19
Yet David served him.
My point is this: Saul is one of the worst examples of leadership, yet David served him. This means we are without excuse when we don’t honor the men and women of God who currently serve in leadership positions and have preceded us.
One of the things I hear in society that gets partnered with Deconstructing your faith is Church Hurt.
Now I realize Deconstructing Faith isn’t necessarily a bad thing. That is, If it is partnered with solid discipleship. Tear down what shouldn’t exist and rebuild.
But when you doubt leadership because of prior hurt, you wind up with bad discipleship.
You must never build your faith on me. I’m merely human. Build it on God! Leadership will fail you, but that is no reason to walk away from the faith. It’s no reason not to serve God!
After all, listen to Colossians 3:18-24 (ESV) Why can David Serve Saul? Because he isn’t serving Saul, he is serving God!
Now let’s jump into 1 Samuel 24 (ESV)
Chapter 23 had closed with Saul coming close to capturing David, only to be called away to defend Israelite cities against the Philistines, now Saul is back with an army 3,000 strong.
Saul has learned from his spies that David is hiding in the Judean Desert in the rocky fortresses above the oasis of En Gedi. David's men are in a rock formation known then as the Crags of the Wild Goats, a natural stronghold, honeycombed with caves, that is easy to defend against attackers.
Saul enters the same cave where David is to relieve himself, and David's group is completely silent as David stealthy creeps up to where Saul is probably now resting in the privacy and cool of the cave. Saul's 3,000 men are outside; he is vulnerable.
David's action has considerable significance. Taking a portion of the royal robe could have been interpreted at that time as a transfer of power from Saul to David. In addition, David's action may have rendered Saul's robe -- Saul's visible sign of kingship -- non-compliant with the requirements of the law by removing tassels from its corner (Numbers 14:38-39; Deuteronomy 22:12).
That's why David is "conscience-stricken," By voiding Saul's claim to kingship in this way, he is moving against "the Lord's anointed." He has to explain this to his men, who are bent on killing Saul when they have this chance. Many are under Saul's death sentence, just like David. The temptation to kill Saul is almost overpowering.
If David had killed Saul in the cave, he and his 600 men would have had to face Saul's troops outside the cave. But these troops would have been leaderless -- and many of them realized the validity of David's claim to the throne. David had probably led some of these troops when he was one of Saul's generals.
Could David have gotten away with killing Saul and claiming the throne? Probably. But David's refusal to attack Saul isn't based on strategic or moral grounds. Instead, it is based on David's profound respect for God.
David waits to confront Saul until the king and his bodyguards are far away. Then he prostrates himself before the king. He waves a piece of the king's robe and indicates that he could have killed Saul except for his own conviction:
David is not silent, publicly accusing Saul of wronging him by trying to kill an innocent man, and calls upon God’s justice to prevail.
This principle of "lifting one's hand against the Lord's anointed" extends beyond an anointed king to any of God's servants. God warns Abimelech, king of Gerar, not to harm Abraham (Genesis 20:7). He warns Laban not to harm Jacob (Genesis 31:24). The psalmist refers to these warnings:
This doesn't mean Jesus' disciples and servants today can't be called to account. Paul taught both respect for the leader's office and accountability.
I've seen how Christians sometimes speak about their pastors. I've heard of how people sometimes cruelly treat men and women of God. It is shameful!
We need to have a fear of the Lord in relation to God-appointed leaders. Just like David refused to lift his hand against the Lord's anointed, we need to show respect for the office -- even if the people who fill the office are imperfect.
And as we show honor to those above us, honor will be shown to us at the appropriate time.
Be Humble, and Maintain Humility
Saul's response to David is both humble and emotional. He weeps aloud. He acknowledges the righteousness of David's position and calls on God to reward David for his mercy to Saul. Then he publicly admits that David will be his successor:
"I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands." (24:20)
Finally, he asks David to swear before God that when David becomes king, he will not "cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family" (24:21). David had already sworn in his covenant with Jonathan to protect Jonathan's offspring (20:15, 42). Now he voluntarily extends this promise to cover all of Saul's descendants. He gives his solemn oath. This is why he does not kill Ish-Bosheth, Saul's remaining son who reigns over Israel after Saul's death (2 Samuel 4:11-12).
This feels like a great moment, but it’s not done! A similar situation plays itself out in chapter 26!
Here is the takeaway, it is not up to be if other people obey God. It is not up to me if people honor leadership. But it is up to me to intentionally honor God, honor my leadership, and lead well with everything that God has placed within me.
The honor you place upon your predecessors and your leadership is directly proportional to your promotion in the spirit. Furthermore, not every leader is a Saul. But if we are supposed to honor the Sauls, how much more should we honor the godly examples of leadership?
Honor the anointing, and have grace for the man.
Want to study this message more in-depth? Then join us In-Person this Sunday at 10:30 AM!