KING SAUL, A STUDY IN LEADERSHIP FAILURE
It’s heart-breaking to read the stories about King Saul, Israel’s first king. Although he reigned for 40 years, his leadership style was fraught with short-sighted and ill-conceived tactics, blustering, macho-inspired dictates, people-pleasing priorities, and most of all – a failure to seek God first in all things. Even when God was giving him a miraculous victory over the Philistines, he jeopardized it with a foolish command saying, “Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies.”
In spite of this, God used Saul to lead Israel and in many ways he was one of its better kings. It’s just so tragic to watch from a distance though, because Saul could’ve been one of Israel’s greatest kings. If only he would’ve feared God more than he feared man. Saul’s kingship is a study in leadership failure.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help those of us who are called to lead that we always seek to first follow You. It’s easy to see the mistakes that others make, but we are often blind to our own. Lord, we need Your wisdom and discernment. Thank You for giving us Your Spirit. Help us to hearken to His direction this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.