1 Samuel 22:1-23

Today we see two leaders that are going in two complete opposite directions.  David, up until this time, has been running by himself and having to act crazy just to try to stay alive.  Saul has been established as king over Israel with the resources of the nation at his disposal.  However, the tide begins to change in this chapter as David returns to Israel and people begin to gather around him.  At the same time, in becomes obvious that Saul is beginning to lose his power and the respect of the people.  We can clearly see two very different leadership styles and an obvious contrast in the character of these two leaders.

DAVID LEADS IN HUMILITY: David recognizes who he is and knows that his life is in the hands of God.  He is confident in abilities that God has given him and he trusts God to provide for Him and protect him.  As he returns to Israel, his brothers and extended family come to him and a group of oppressed and offended people begin to gather around him.  Soon he has a group of 400 men that have gathered around him and are ready to follow him into battle.  David has won the respect of the people and those who have been offended or mistreated through Saul’s leadership recognize David’s character and humility so they are ready to follow him.  These men are all committing treason against Saul and realize that they will be put to death with David if they are defeated.  But they prefer to die under David’s leadership than live under Saul’s.  If we want to impact the lives of other people through our leadership, we must be humble and have character.  David does not consider himself to be too good for this group of “misfits.”

SAUL LEADS IN HOSTILITY: Saul is anything but humble.  His kingdom is beginning to implode and his leadership is being doubted and questioned by all who are with him.  He complains to his army that none of them had informed him about David and Jonathan’s friendship.  I would imagine the soldiers looking at one another and questioning why Saul was not aware of his own son’s actions.  Saul is shifting blame from himself to others.  He sits there and complains, threatens and sulks about one man that has become the sole focus of his administration.  He is no longer concerned about the well being of his people or the security of the nation.  His only focus is to find and kill David, his most faithful servant.  When someone finally steps up with old information about David Saul calls the priest who had given David food and a sword and accuses him of treason.  The priest reminds Saul that at the time David was one of Saul’s own generals and that nothing to the contrary had been communicated.  Saul will not listen to reason and orders all of the priests of this family to be killed.  All of the soldiers refuse to obey Saul’s command accept the one who had provided the information.  Saul begins to turn on his own people and he leads through fear and intimidation.  This will not work for very long as Saul has lost his credibility as a leader.  Good leaders will communicate effectively, care for their followers, accept personal responsibility and lead by example.  Saul’s constant hostility is causing his followers to abandon him and begin looking for a leader that they can believe in.