What steps can we take to avoid assumptions in leadership, based on 1 Kings 1:27? Setting the Scene “Has my lord the king let this happen without informing his servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?” (1 Kings 1:27) Bathsheba’s respectful yet urgent question exposes a leadership gap: when clear direction is missing, people fill the silence with assumptions. Adonijah seized the throne because David had not publicly confirmed Solomon as successor (1 Kings 1:5–10). The incident offers timeless safeguards for leaders. Step 1: Seek Clarification Early • Bathsheba requests clarity before panic spreads. • Leaders who invite input stop rumors before they start (Proverbs 18:13). • Practical action: encourage team members to ask, “Can you confirm the plan?” rather than guessing motives. Step 2: Communicate Plans Clearly • David had sworn to place Solomon on the throne (1 Kings 1:13) but kept it private too long. • Clear, timely communication protects everyone (Habakkuk 2:2). • Practical action: share decisions with all stakeholders, not just inner circles. Step 3: Invite Trusted Counsel • Nathan the prophet partners with Bathsheba to alert David (1 Kings 1:11–14). • “Plans are established by counsel” (Proverbs 20:18). • Practical action: establish a small, godly advisory group that can flag blind spots. Step 4: Respect God-Established Order • Adonijah bypassed divine appointment and family order; Bathsheba sought the king’s authority. • Romans 13:1 reminds leaders that real authority comes from God. • Practical action: align decisions with the roles and structures God has already set. Step 5: Remain Humble and Responsive • David listens and acts immediately (1 Kings 1:28–35). • “Be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). • Practical action: create space in meetings for others to speak into your plans. Step 6: Ground Decisions in Scripture • Solomon’s coronation fulfilled God’s earlier word to David (1 Chronicles 22:9–10). • Psalm 119:105 calls God’s Word “a lamp to my feet.” • Practical action: test major initiatives against clear biblical principles before launching. Step 7: Confirm Actions Publicly • David stages a public anointing so no doubt remains (1 Kings 1:39–40). • Transparency builds trust (2 Corinthians 8:21). • Practical action: document decisions and share them broadly to eliminate speculation. Step 8: Continually Re-evaluate • After Solomon is crowned, Adonijah’s plot dissolves because leadership realigns with truth (1 Kings 1:49–53). • Wise leaders reassess to ensure reality matches intent (Proverbs 27:23). • Practical action: schedule follow-ups to verify that instructions were understood and implemented. A Leadership Path Free of Assumption By clarifying early, communicating clearly, consulting widely, honoring God’s order, staying humble, rooting everything in Scripture, confirming publicly, and re-evaluating continually, we mirror the corrective steps in 1 Kings 1 and safeguard our leadership from the costly trap of assumptions. |
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