Amelia Student Ministries - Amelia Church of Christ

So lately I have been reading through 2 Samuel. I’ve got a couple more chapters, but I came to something that I found really interesting. I came to, in Chapter 23, the final words of David. While I am not really sure why they are put here, somewhat out of chronological order, I do find myself quite intrigued by what they contain. David’s last words were actually a prophesy from God. He is speaking the direct words of God.

It says all there is to know about leadership. Well, I suppose not ALL there is to know, but it tells us exactly where we need to start. V. 3b-4 reads “‘When one rules over men in righteousness, when one rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.”

I believe this brings out 3 very key points about leadership. The first is that leadership should be based on GOD. As David said, it is those who lead in righteousness and the fear of God that are effective. God gives us the Bible for principles of love and compassion and forgiveness. A lot of us will find ourselves in positions of leadership at some point in our lives. Maybe we are already there, but if we rule with an iron fist, we will be far less effective than if we rule justly and righteously.

The 2nd principle we find here is that Godly leaders will actually LEAD. It is often said that if you are a leader and no one is following you then you aren’t really a leader. This is true. David says here, that a Godly leader will be “like the light of morning at sunrise.”  A leader is a light.  A light helps others see things. A Godly leader will actually make things clear. They have a clear vision, and will clearly light the way to accomplish that vision.

The 3rd thing this points out is this: A Godly leader produces fruit. David says here that like the sun after the rain, we will bring forth grass. A Godly leader will inevitably insight growth. Leading on God’s principles and with the Fear of Him, is enough. True, it is ultimately on God to cause spiritual growth, but I believe it is on the Spiritual leaders to be the tools for God to use.