A True Leader

I Chronicles 20-23

Over the years, I have worked for all kinds of leaders. Some of those leaders I respected, while others, I did not. There are a lot of characteristics necessary for a good leader. Personality is certainly on that list. Also, competence is required in a leader. Another quality that is often overlooked is accountability. In today's reading, we see how David was a good leader.

Chapter 20 is a short chapter that tells of the defeat of the Ammonites. David did not go to battle with his army on this day, but he did arrive in time to claim the victory. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I have never seen a President on the front lines of any war in my lifetime. Yet, at one point in David's reign he was almost overtaken in combat. His soldiers rescued him, protected him, then forbid him from fighting with them anymore. Back to our summary, he took the crown of the king, and it became his crown. Then the chapter ends with the telling of the killing of more giants (Goliath was not the only one).

In chapter 21, we read about a great failure of David. The chapter begins by telling that Satan stood against Israel. He did this by tempting David to number the people of Israel. A census is not a bad thing. However, the motive behind this census was. David wanted to know how big "his" kingdom was. Joab, who was commanded to conduct the census, advised against hit. He basically said, "This is a bad idea. What does it matter how many people are in the kingdom? Are they not all your servants?" But, David insisted and Joab obeyed.

Once the census was completed, David realized he had made a grave mistake. Also, God sent a prophet to tell him the same thing. God sent Gad the prophet to tell David that because of his sins, he had three choices of punishment. Option one, there could be three months of famine. Option two, they could fall to their enemies and be under their rule for thee months. Option three, there would be three days of pestilence, which was called "the sword of the Lord".

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And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.

I Chronicles 21:13

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David chose option 3. He banked on God being merciful, but mercy was not what he received; at least initially. The next verse tells us that 70,000 men died in Israel, and that was before the angel that was bearing the sword of God arrived at Jerusalem. Can you imagine that? A single act of pride cost the lives of 70,000 people. This was not the first time, nor the last time this would happen. Pride has been at the core of every war man has ever fought. There are innumerable stories that could be told as examples.

As the angel was poised to attack Jerusalem, David's eyes were opened and he could see the spiritual realm. He saw the angel and it terrified him. He cried out to God.

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And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father’s house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

I Chronicles 21:17

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David truly repented of his sin. He didn't simply realize that he had done wrong. His heart was broken, but it took consequences to get him there. He cried out to God and took accountability for his actions. The people had not done wrong, he had. He asked God to turn the punishment towards him and his family, instead of the people of Israel. THAT IS LEADERSHIP!

God withheld judgment on Jerusalem, and the "angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite" (v. 18). David went and purchased the threshingfloor as commanded. Ornan tried to give the land and materials for the sacrifice to David, but David would not take it for free. He knew that in order for it to be a sacrifice for his sins, he must actually sacrifice something. He had to pay a price. He obeyed the words of the angel and judgment was stayed.

In chapter 22, refocused by what had taken place in chapter 21, David makes a decision. If he cannot build the Temple, he can at least get all the supplies together for the building of the Temple. This is hard to fathom. A leader who was focused on the goal, not on his own legacy. David knew that it would be the next king who would build the Temple, not him. He didn't care. He actually paved the way for Solomon to build the Temple. THAT IS LEADERSHIP!

So many people today will not work if they are not going to get credit for the work. More people would try to hinder the next administration, rather than help. Their focus is on themselves and not on the institution they represent. David wanted God glorified. David wanted Israel to prosper. His focus was now on others and not himself.

Finally, chapter 23 begins with David crowing Solomon king of Israel. However, there is still a lot that will be discussed before Solomon actually takes the throne. This one verse is letting us know that we are nearing the end of David's reign. The remaining chapters of this book are going to be about how David put things in order before Solomon became king.

Chapter 23 is about the change in labor for the Levites. Since Israel was preparing to transition from the Tabernacle to the Temple, the Levites would no longer need to pack up and carry the Temple and its furniture. Yet, there was still plenty of work to do. Some would continue service in the Temple as servants to the priests. Others would become worship leaders and musicians. David saw to the change in responsibilities. David recognized the need for a redistribution of labor, and made it happen effectively and efficiently. THAT IS LEADERSHIP!

It wasn't enough for David to be likable. It wasn't enough for him to be knowledgeable. David had to be able to put several characteristics together wisely, and then get the people to follow him. He did that, even during hard times (some by his own creating). Because of this, Israel prospered. David truly was a good leader. He was a leader that all of us in leadership positions should aspire to be like.

There is one last point we should discuss. You may be thinking that God is unfair in his judgment of the people for David's sins. A leader represents the people he leads. His decisions, good or bad, affect them. When he wins, they win. When he loses, they lose. David lost, and the people were part of that loss. Had God simply judged David for his sins, David would not have repented and accomplished all of the great things he did at the end of his reign. Also, there would have been a leadership void that would have been catastrophic to the nation. There would be a civil war for the throne, that we will not read about in Chronicles. Leaders need to keep this in the forefront of their thoughts, "Our actions affect those under us."

God help me to be a leader who does not let pride hurt those who you have given me to lead!