Calvary Chapel Auckland: Teaching

MARKS OF A LEADER

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” (2 Samuel 5:1-2)

God told David he would be the next king of Israel when he was just a boy - perhaps 13 or 14 years old. It took some 25 years until the events of 2 Samuel 5:1-2, when David was actually received as king over a united Israel. Prior to this, only one of the tribes of Israel recognized David as king. The other tribes recognized the counterfeit king Ishbosheth, a son of Saul. Ishbosheth was murdered is recorded in 2 Samuel 4 - then the tribes turned to David.

It is sad that the tribes only turned to David when their previous choice was taken away. On the same principle, it’s sad when Christians only really recognize Jesus as king when other choices crumble. We should choose Jesus outright, not just when other options fail. Yet God loves us enough to let our idols crumble so we can put our trust where it belongs - in Jesus.

It's instructive to see how the elders of Israel received David. First, they said "We are your bone and your flesh." This means that the elders of Israel received David’s leadership because he was an Israelite himself. This was significant because for a period of time David lived as a Philistine among the Philistines. The elders of Israel put that away and embraced David as one of their own.

Second, they said, "You were the one who led Israel out and brought them in." The elders of Israel received David’s leadership because he already had displayed his ability to lead. One of the qualifications for emerging leaders from 1 Timothy is, "first let them be tested" (1 Timothy 3:10). David's leadership was tested and proven, so they received him as king.

Next the elders said to David, "The Lord said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.' " They received David’s leadership because it was evident God called him to lead. God's call was clear to everyone.

These three characteristics should mark anyone who leads God’s people.

- A leader must belong to God’s people in heritage and heart
- A leader must demonstrate capability to lead
- A leader must have an evident call from God

The elders of Israel received David’s leadership when they saw these things in David. Where you are a leader, can people see these things in you? When you see these things in those who are in leadership over you, do you receive their leadership? When we see leaders who are marked by these three characteristics, we should make a special point to do what Hebrews 13:17 says: Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.