The Paradox Leader

One of the most inspiring and interesting biographies in the Bible has to be that of King David. I don't need to go through the life history of David, you can read that (and should) for yourself. But, there are a few bits of knowledge that I want to pull out of David's story, because they are the things that really set him apart from all the other leaders mentioned in the Old Testament.

David was the great paradox of kingship in the ancient Middle East. Like King Saul, David came from humble beginnings as a farmer, although David was the shepherd of the family, and came from an even lower start than Saul.

Saul eventually became like the other kings of his day -- drunk with power, position and his own abilities. Saul relied on his own strength to get things done, and was quick to ignore God's commands.

In a way, Saul was like many of us. He didn't know how to really handle the big stuff in life. His paranoia over that led him toward insanity. He allowed jealousy to drive away his best military man, David. That same jealousy led to anger and hatred that eventually led Saul to chase David throughout the wilderness of Israel in an attempt to hunt down and kill the future king.

Saul was just like the world. He was the people's choice. To the people, Saul fit the part. No doubt, he was able to give good speeches. He probably had a booming voice to match his tall stature. But, Saul got in way over his head when he accepted the kingship. Then, he was too proud to admit that he didn't have what it took to run the country.

David was the paradox of Saul. 1 Samuel 16 introduces us to David, the shepherd boy. The paradox of David becomes very clear just seven verses into the chapter when God tells the prophet Samuel, "Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Immediately, we know that the next king of Israel is going to be unique. Later, we find out that David's heart is in tune with God. All those days spent with the sheep in the wild fields near Bethlehem allowed David to ponder the things of God. In return, God was with David, and led him to some amazing opportunities for his age. By the end of chapter 16, David is serving regularly with Saul.

But, David has not forgotten his humble beginnings. In chapter 17, we discover that David is now working two jobs, splitting time between Saul and the sheep. Soon, it would be time for the second great paradox in David's life. He was going to meet a man named Goliath.

The whole Goliath saga is amazing in that Saul, the king and master warrior, should've been the one to fight the giant from Gath. Saul's skills would have been a much closer match than anyone else in the Israelite army. But, we find Saul cowering in his tent, and not acting very king-like when he agrees to send little David out to do the king's work. That one decision would soon destroy the relationship between Saul and David forever.

David had no business being on the battlefield that day. He wasn't big enough or strong enough. He was too small for Saul's clunky and heavy armor. He couldn't even carry a sword or shield in a fighting posture. So, David went to war in his t-shirt and blue jeans. His only weapon was a child's toy and some rocks. And, against the odds, David left a story that we look to today for hope and inspiration.

The battle had barely ended before Saul's jealousy struck. David received greater praise from the people for defeating Goliath than Saul did for his cowardice. From that day on, evil thoughts would reign in Saul's mind as it related to David. It wouldn't be long before Saul would conspire ways to kill David. The future king would soon be on the run to save his life. And, that's where we pick up another paradox about David.

1 Samuel 24 tells of David's best real chance to end Saul's hunt for him. Saul had tracked David into the wilderness of En-gedi, and was in fact right on top of them. The area is filled with caves, and David had sent his men into the backs of the caves to hide as Saul's troops marched by.

But, just as Saul was approaching David's hideout, nature called, and Saul had to take care of business. Saul's bodyguards checked out the make-shift port-o-potty, and set up security just outside.

David's men were quick to realize what lay before them -- VICTORY! If there were ever a vulnerable position to conquer an enemy, Saul was in it. David knew it, and his men encouraged David to slaughter Saul and end this hunt.

Conventional wisdom would've agreed with David's cohorts, but David had a different plan. He cut off a piece of Saul's robe, instead. Why would David miss the opportunity to kill Saul? He had already been anointed to be Saul's replacement. This seemed to David's men to be the fulfillment of that anointing.

I think David had plenty of time to consider what an anointing by God meant. It wasn't something you should callously disregard. It was something to be respected. Even though God had gone a different direction in his selection of king, Saul was the first to be anointed, and David knew that was something to be respected.

So, verse 5 points out that David's conscience got the better of him. He had only cut off a piece of Saul's robe, but David knew that was very disrespectful. He told his men, "The Lord knows I shouldn't’t have done that to my lord the king. The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him."

Clearly, this didn't sit well with David's men, because David had to restrain them from killing Saul. They wanted this cat-and-mouse game over with, and saw the chance to end it. But, they didn't have the insight David had. David knew of the respect that was due toward God's anointed. If God wanted Saul gone, that was going to be God's doing, not David's.

David also knew the adage that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. Had he seized the opportunity and ended Saul's life, David would've spent the remainder of his years looking over his shoulder at the next would-be king. The same paranoia that had consumed Saul would've also devoured him.

So, what's the lesson we can learn from the paradox of David? Go back to the first verse I mentioned. "People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Many of us spend our lives trying to impress people with our outward appearances or the deeds we can show. We allow other people's opinions of us shape the way we think and act. That's the way Saul lived. He was a people pleaser. He went with what was popular opinion, and shunned the wisdom and instruction of God.

Proverbs 29:25 says, The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe." Paul writes in Galatians 1:10, "Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant."

We should also live the paradox. If we're to have a heart after God's own heart, as was described of David, we must first start seeking and trusting in God, not man.