After Saul’s death, David moved to Hebron and was anointed king over Judah only. Abner, Saul’s captain made Ishbosheth, Saul’s son king the rest of Israel. For seven years civil war kept David from being king over all Israel. During those years of conflict, though David was far from perfect, he displayed several qualities that made him a great leader.

One thing that is lacking in our homes, our churches, and our country is people that will stand up and be godly leaders.

Transition

This evening I want to point out several of David’s leadership qualities that we need to develop in our lives.

He Prayed Before Making Decisions (2:1)

  1. David had learned the value of prayer
    1. He believed God had wisdom that he lacked.
      1. One reason we fail to pray is because we do not really believe that God is all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful.
      2. In Isaiah’s day, instead of praying to God, the people thought that Egypt could help them. For this, God rebuked them. (Isaiah 30:1) Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: 2) That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
      3. Meditate on the words of the Psalmist. (Psalms 147:4) He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 5) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
    2. He asked the Lord for direction. He asked the Lord to show him the way he should go. When we do not know what way to go, we must ask God for direction. (Psalms 25:4) Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
    3. He prayed before he acted. He did not act first and then pray. Prayer needs to be our first response to every uncertainty and trial in life.
    4. He prayed specifically for what he wanted. He did not pray, “God bless me.” Because God does not answer every prayer right away or in the way we want, we may think, “why bother to pray”. Instead, we need to pray specifically and continually until God answers one way or another.
  2. David did what God told him to do.
    1. He went to Hebron.
    2. The men of Hebron anointed him as king.
      ☆ Leaders are prayers!

He Praised Others (2:5-7)

  1. The men of Jabesh-gilead had honoured Saul
    1. These were the men who took Saul’s body from the wall in Philistine territory and gave him a proper burial.
    2. They were also men who were loyal to Saul, not necessarily to David.
  2. David praised the men of Jabesh-gilead.
    1. He blessed them. He prayed God’s kindness over them. He promised to reward them with kindness himself. He encouraged them.
    2. In this, David was also seeking to promote harmony between those who were loyal to Saul and himself.
    3. God wants each of us to learn this quality of praising others. Our sinful nature finds it easy to be critical and pick at the faults of others, but difficult to notice and praise the good in others. Proverbs 27:2 says, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. We ought to be the one praising rather than the one seeking praise.
      ☆ Leaders are praisers!

He Defended Truth (3:1)

  1. David knew God anointed him as king
    1. Years earlier, Samuel had anointed David to be the king at God’s request.
    2. He knew that it was God’s plan for him to be king.
  2. David fought to defend his kingship
    1. During the long war, David’s side grew stronger.
    2. David was not fighting just for himself. He was fighting for the truth of what God had said.
    3. Conflicts are never enjoyable, yet standing for God’s truth is necessary.
      1. Paul called it “standing fast in the faith.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
      2. Jude called this “contending for the faith.” (Jude 1:3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
      3. Paul charged the Thessalonian believers to stand fast in the traditions (instructions) that had learned. (2 Thessalonians 2:15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
        ☆ Leaders are defenders!

He Forgave and Promoted Peace (3:12-21)

  1. He accepted Abner’s surrender and forgave him
    1. David requested the return of his first wife (3:13).
    2. David believed Abner and made him a feast (3:20). He could have had Abner killed for his rebellion, but he did not. When Abner humbled himself, David forgave him.
  2. He made peace with Abner and all Israel (3:21)
    1. David made a league (peace treaty) with Abner.
    2. David sent him away in peace.
    3. We should learn from this that true leaders are willing to forgive those who have offended them. I have never met a person who did not enjoy being forgiven, but we sometimes struggle to be the forgiver.
    4. God is willing to forgive us and we should follow His example. (Psalms 86:5) For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
      ☆ Leaders are forgivers!

He Disapproved of Injustice

  1. Joab murdered Abner
    1. Joab hated Abner because he had killed his brother Asahel during the battle (2:22-23). Now Joab was angry that the king had let Abner go in peace (3:24-25).
    2. Joab secretly sent messengers to Abner, called him back, and killed him (3:26-27).
  2. David mourned the death of Abner.
    1. David’s was truly sorry that Abner died at the hands of a wicked man (3:33-34).
    2. David recognized Abner’s character (3:38). When he forgave him, he no longer saw him as an enemy.
    3. David was an example of an honourable man before all the people (3:35-36).
    4. One characteristic of a leader is that he does what is right even when he does not feel like it. He always keeps his word. When he forgives, he does not bring up the sin again.
      ☆ Leaders are examples!

Conclusion

In the midst of the seven years of conflict we find five shining examples of David’s leadership qualities. 1) He was a prayer. 2) He was a praiser. 3) He was a defender. 4) He was a forgiver. 5) He was an example.

Young people, it is never too soon to work on these qualities in your life. You are all old enough to pray, to praise, to defend truth, to forgive, and to be a right example.

Are these five leadership qualities in your life? If not, now is the time to surrender your heart to the Lord and ask God to begin developing them in your life.

Song: His Way with Thee – 367
—
Leadership Qualities
20 September 2015 PM – 2 Samuel 2-3 – Life of David – Scott Childs