Issue #138, September 17, 2014
David continued to carry out his duties under Saul as well as he could. But Saul’s jealously and determination to kill David finally forced David to flee for his life to the desert. Saul’s insecurity was extreme. Not only did he want to kill David and attempted to do so twice, he was angry enough to hurl a spear at his own son Jonathan when he sided with David. Later, the king authorized the brutal killing of 85 priests who had innocently aided David’s escape. I doubt if many reading this have served under leaders with this level of insecurity!
During his time in exile, David needed to learn another difficult lesson for servant leaders: submission to the current leader. David’s submission to the leadership of a man seeking his death is remarkable. Twice David had what seemed like providential opportunities to kill Saul but in both cases he courageously refused.
So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go" (1Samuel 26:7-11).
David’s response serves as a model to all servant leaders of how to submit to authority.
Submission relinquishes personal ambition.
David was anointed to become the king, the prophet Samuel had made that clear. Even Jonathan, the king’s son, affirmed this call. David was a proven warrior and was now leading a large group of 600 men (See 1 Samuel 22:13). He had demonstrated his capacity as a warrior and a leader. He could have naturally felt that it was time for him to lead the nation. But submission is not about who is the best person to lead; it is recognizing who is called to lead at the moment and respecting that role. David let go of his own ambition.
Submission respects God’s appointment.
Saul was not worthy of respect in terms of his own leadership ability. But David respected him because God allowed him to be the king. He called the king “the LORD’s anointed,” showing deep respect for God’s appointed authority. David never spoke evil of Saul and refused even to allow his aide to do the killing. He understood well what Paul would say many years later, “The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). He learned that servants who want to be respected as leaders must first respect those who lead.
Submission recognizes God’s plan.
David was able to submit because he knew that God had a plan for his own leadership journey and that in some way God would finally remove Saul from his role. David didn’t know how or when he would rise to the position of his destiny, but he knew that it was not his work to make this happen, but to wait on God’s timing and plan to unfold.
David’s submission to Saul is likely much deeper than any of us will be called to make. His example challenges each of us to carefully examine our response to those in authority over us. David teaches us that only those who have learned to follow are ready to lead.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Read the first account of David’s opportunity to kill Saul in 1 Samuel 24. What additional insights do you gain from this account?
- How have you related to those who are in authority over you, both in your current role as well as previous leadership experience? Think of those in the political realm, your vocation, your church and community. What lessons can you learn from David’s life? Are there past relationships which God is calling you to correct or restore?
- Your tongue is a reflection of your heart. How do you speak about people in authority over you?