Compare Saul's leadership with David's in other parts of 1 Samuel. Setting the Scene: 1 Samuel 22:6 “Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear, and all his servants were standing around him.” • Saul—stationary, brooding, weapon in hand, surrounded by fearful servants • David—on the run, leaning on God, leading a band of outcasts (22:1–2) This snapshot exposes two very different kinds of leadership that thread through 1 Samuel. Saul’s Leadership Pattern • Fear-driven suspicion – 18:8–9 “Saul eyed David from that day forward.” – 22:8 “All of you have conspired against me…” • Self-preservation above God’s purposes – 13:8–14: impatient sacrifice to keep troops from scattering – 15:24: admits fearing the people more than God • Disobedience and selective obedience – 15:9 “But Saul and the troops spared Agag and the best of the sheep…” • Reliance on symbols of power – Spear in hand (18:10–11; 19:9–10; 22:6) • Escalating hardness of heart – 22:17–19: orders slaughter of the priests at Nob – 28:7: seeks a medium when God no longer answers • Isolated and joyless – 16:14: “the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul” – 28:5: “his heart trembled greatly” David’s Leadership Pattern • Faith-driven courage – 17:45 “I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts” • Servant-hearted loyalty – 18:5: acts wisely, promoted by Saul – 20:4: covenant faithfulness to Jonathan • Reliance on God’s guidance – 23:2, 4, 10–12: repeatedly asks the LORD before acting • Obedience and restraint – 24:6; 26:9: refuses to harm “the LORD’s anointed” • Compassion for the vulnerable – 30:21–24: honors the weary men who stayed with supplies • Growth through hardship – 30:6: “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” • Building community, not an empire – 22:2: gathers the distressed, indebted, discontented and becomes their captain Side-by-Side Highlights 1. Motive – Saul: protect throne, reputation, ego – David: honor God, serve people 2. Use of Power – Saul: spear, threats, coercion (22:17) – David: lyre, prayer, example (16:23; 30:7–8) 3. Response to Sin – Saul: excuses, blame-shifting (15:15, 24) – David: confession and repentance when later confronted (though outside 1 Samuel, see 2 Samuel 12) 4. Treatment of Enemies – Saul: kills priests; hunts David – David: spares Saul twice; weeps over Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1) 5. Relationship with God – Saul: Spirit departs (16:14) – David: “The LORD is with him” (18:12, 14, 28) Key Takeaways • Leadership rooted in fear produces paranoia and violence; leadership rooted in faith produces courage and compassion. • Obedience to God’s clear word (15:22) safeguards a leader; selective obedience destroys credibility. • Power held with an open hand (David) unites people; power gripped tightly (Saul) isolates and corrodes. • Trials reveal true character: Saul’s throne shook his heart; David’s wilderness shaped his heart. |
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