If Only All Leaders Aimed At This

2 Samuel 3:36
All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.

David was no ordinary leader, he was a great leader. David was chosen to be a leader not by a community or by some father figure, but by God Himself. God chose David out of all his older brothers. David was chosen at a time when his own father was confident enough that he could be a king. As a leader, are you God chosen or people chosen? If only all leaders aimed at being God chosen, wouldn’t it be a great world?

Goliath threatened Israel for forty days and military leaders did nothing about it. Everyone was afraid of dying and was selfish. King Saul even offered his own daughter to whoever will kill Goliath. Selfish people are lured and motivated by personal benefits – marrying the king’s daughter. However, the Goliath threat was so real, that not even the motivation of being a son-in-law to a king could attract courage. Selfish leaders who think of personal gain only will never be available at the hour of need that requires sacrifice.

When David came into the scene, he was shocked at how people could withstand God being abused and the armies of Israel being demeaned. David was patriotic and faithful to God. David said he will risk his life to defend the sovereignty of the kingdom and the name of God. David was not committed to himself and self-benefits. David was committed to God and the nation. If only leaders were so committed to the country, the community, the institution, the organization, and even the church, wouldn’t it be a great world?

1 Samuel 30:4
So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.

2 Samuel 3:32
They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.

David was also a real person. He did not behave as if leadership granted him strange powers to overcome his emotional feelings. Where necessary he wept with people. This straight face without emotion in the face of pain and tragedy may be macho but far from ideal leadership. Leaders must even emotionally identify with people. If only all leaders would be real and present a human face they would be greatly appreciated!

2 Samuel 3:33
The king sang this lament for Abner:
“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?

2 Chronicles 7:6
The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD’s musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, “His love endures forever.” Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

David wasn’t too big to have a side talent that he pursued. Being a leader doesn’t kill another talent and abilities that you have. David continued composing music and singing. These leaders who behave as if leadership killed all other abilities and all they can do is lead are not using a biblical concept of leadership. Leadership is not a super talent. If only all leaders would also have a human face and participate in life other than leadership, our bonds with leaders will be great!

Our text today tells us that David acted in a manner that was pleasing to the people he led. David focused on pleasing everyone and not just a few people who could affect his leadership. A truly impressive leader is focused on the people that he leads and not just the powerful forces that can affect him or her. David pleased everyone with how he acted as a leader. If only all leaders were more concerned about pleasing everyone rather than pleasing a small cartel of people who can affect their leadership, it would be great!

1 Samuel 2:26
And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Someone has said you can’t please everyone. If you want to please everyone sell ice cream. You may not please everyone but aim at pleasing everyone. Other great leaders in the Bible were pleasing to God and man. Samuel pleased God and man. Jesus pleased God and man. You can’t ignore people, hurt them and trample on them, just because your position has been secured since you please those who can affect you. Aim at pleasing everyone as Samuel, David and Jesus did. If only all leaders did this, the world would be an awesome place.

Rethink your decisions, are people pleased or you don’t care? Rethink your speeches, are people pleased, or it is your personality and everyone better adjust to it? Rethink the complaints and requests before dismissing them. Rethink how you leave people feeling under your leadership. If only all leaders could rethink….

Dear God, we are all leaders in our rights and at different levels. Make me a leader after your own heart, a leader of such high biblical standards, a leader who is pleasing to all, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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