King David's Precious Words of Advice to Future Leaders
"Be a strong and good leader.
Obey the Lord your God.
Follow Him by obeying His demands, His commands, His laws,
and His rules that are written in the teachings of Moses.
If you do these things,
you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go."
(1 Kings 02: 02, 03)
Just as I have been repeatedly writing about King David over the past few years, he still remains one of my favourites in biblical history. Every year, my understanding of David keeps expanding, and empathy towards this great warrior in history keeps increasing. As a spiritual giant of immovable faith, and as God's chosen king over His people, the life of King David, with its humble pastoral beginnings and glorious royal endings, continues to challenge me in my closer walk with God.
Today, I am inviting you to join me in looking at one of the last few moments of this great king in the history of the nation of Israel. David, after a long life of mighty wars and establishments, realises that his time to die was near. He calls his son Solomon who was chosen and anointed to be the next king and gave his last commands. When David did this, he was saying it to the next King of Israel who would walk the same paths that David had walked with the mighty presence of the Lord. I find these commands, these precious words of advice by the father to his son, the present king to the next, to be wonderful secrets to be an influential and mighty leader. I take these words as diamonds of advice that the bible would give to any leader of the future.
David's life was not an easy one. It was filled with troubles, fears, anxiety, challenge, starvation and battles after battles. From being a humble shepherd boy who took care of his father's flock of sheep, David becomes Israel's most memorable and influential king, still remembered with 'The Star of David' marked in the centre of Israel's national flag. It was not David who could achieve all these great glories but the mighty presence of God that moved along with him. And after a life of great victories and challenges, mistakes and repentance, David gives away the best words that he could give to the one who will carry his legacy over to the next phase of history.
Shall we look at these diamonds of advice, one after the other?
Be a Strong and Good leader | Imitation of the characteristics of God
The first two words that come out of David, is about strength and goodness. And these are, indeed, the two huge characteristics of God. Our God is full of strength and mighty power. The words of His mouth are so powerful that they could create and demolish. On one hand, right from the time when David was a shepherd, caring for his sheep and saving them from the lion and the bear, through the great battles that Israel had ever fought during his time, David had witnessed, minute by minute, the mighty strength of the Lord. He always knew it was not his own strength that is working in him, but the mighty power of God in whom he had his whole faith. On the other hand, David shows the importance of having the goodness of God in us. As a leader, David encourages Solomon to be full of God's strength and also to have the goodness of God filled in him. And that is a reminder for us, today. As a leader, be close to God and be filled with His presence. And as you have a closer walk with God, be a leader who is strong and good.
Follow God by Obedience | Obeying the demands and commands of God
The second important lesson that we learn from David's last words to Solomon is obedience to God. This becomes the application of all the demands, commands, laws and rules of God in our lives. As a leader, David encourages you to follow God by obeying Him. The only way to follow God is through faith and through obedience to His words. Right from his childhood, through his youth where he even met Goliath, and to the royal days as king, David was learning the importance of following God. And he knew very well, the only way to follow the presence of God is by obedience. Obedience to what God asks of you. Obedience to what He demands of your life. Obedience to the rules He had set for you so that you will not go astray from the purpose of your life. And this would be the best way to be a leader who would change the world around her/him. Obedience to God becomes an important part of a God-loving and God-inspired leader.
Looking at the two important points we have noted above (being a strong and good leader, being a follower of God through obedience to His words) it is evident that they speak about the two important parts of our spiritual life. Imitation of the characteristics of God and following the words of God! These two, together, lead us towards further victories and achievements in life as leaders. Interestingly, these two demands come with a promise! And the promise is conditional. It comes with a huge "IF."
David ends these words of wisdom to Solomon, saying "If you do these things, you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go." Yes! That's the promise from God. If you would be a leader who does these two important elements, then you will be a leader who witnesses success in all the initiatives you take and in all that you engage, wherever it may be. These are the words of a great leader who had seen the mighty wonders and guidance of God. These are the words that David shares with whoever willing to lead God's people in the future.
Be full of the strength of God. Be filled with His goodness. Follow God by obeying His commands and demands. And you will see success in all you do and wherever you go! In other words, let your faith and lifestyle be acceptable to God.
I pray that the blessings of our God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will help all the leaders of our future to be filled with His strength and goodness, and to lead the people as they follow God by obeying Him.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
