David and Absalom: Sin
Sin is a universal reality for all leaders, but the leaders’ response can be as different as David’s and Absalom’s. David’s most well-known sin is his sexual relationship with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Absalom has a longer list of sins including the murder of his brother, destruction of personal property, rebellion to authority, […]
David and Absalom: Authority
Perhaps the greatest difference between the leadership of David and Absalom was in their view of authority. They responded very differently to those in authority over them, and this led to profound differences in their leadership. Their lives illustrate the different ways servant leaders and subversive* leaders see and respond to authority. How did David […]
David and Absalom: Influence
Issue #229, April 4, 2018 Leadership is all about influencing others. But there are different ways that influence is used by leaders. David and Absalom both had influence; people followed them. However, the way they gained and used influence shows the contrast between servant leaders and subversive* leaders. David won the hearts of people; Absalom […]
David and Absalom: Power
All leaders have power, but not all leaders handle power the same way. David and Absalom demonstrated two very different ways that leaders gain and use power. They saw the power of the kingship in very different ways. David accepted power; Absalom sought power. The difference between how David and Absalom came to power could […]
David and Absalom: Intimacy
David is a servant leader that we admire in many ways. He is known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). And David led well. “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them” (Psalms 78:72).But David’s son Absalom provides a very different picture of leadership. Absalom was […]
A Sense of Timing: A Time to Confront
Issue #199, January 25, 2017 Encouragement is always needed and usually greatly appreciated. But servant leaders also recognize that there is a time to confront. One of the best-known confrontations in scripture happened when God called the prophet Nathan to confront King David who had committed adultery and murder. Nathan first tells the king a […]
Serving People with Place and Purpose
Issue #156, May 27, 2015 When we meet a leader we quickly ask what position they hold but we seldom ask why they hold that position. King David had a healthy perspective on the place God had called him to serve as well as the purpose. “And David knew that the LORD had established him […]
David: Succeeding at Succession
Issue #149, February 18, 2015 David’s leadership story is not finished until he hands over the reins of leadership to his son Solomon. Sadly, the account given in 1 Kings 1 teaches us more about mistakes to avoid in succession than it does about giving a positive example. When David is old and unable to […]
David: Leading at Home
Issue #148, February 4, 2015 David’s life is in so many ways, an example of a great leader. He was successful in national building and expansion. He united the kingdom and established Jerusalem as capital city and a focal point of worship and commerce for the nation. But the final chapters of his life paint […]
David: Needing a Nathan
Issue #147, January 21, 2015 David’s repentance recorded in Psalm 51 is a beautiful picture of a leader who is truly remorseful for his sin. But his repentance happened when, “The LORD sent Nathan to David” (2 Samuel 12:1). David was a king, a mighty warrior, and a successful leader in so many ways, but […]