"....like the light of the morning!"

As i come to the close of meditating the book of 2 Samuel, i was educated and exhorted on the nature of leadership David gave to the Israelites during his prime time as a king.I was amazed by the leadership traits exhibited by him which stands in stark contrast to the present day power hungry leaders who loves to be in the spotlight and project themselves invincible.These are some of the qualities by which I was touched and challenged.

1.God not only protects people through his appointed leaders but also executes his wrath upon his people through them!(2 Samuel chapter 24 where David takes census of Israelites)
2.A leader is not taken away(seduced) by the strength of his support systems or his supporters but in the end declares "God is my rock" - (ch 23 - amazing deeds of the mighty men with David like "man chasing a lion" v 20.)
3.A leader realizes the need for being "armed" to execute judgement upon the "thorns" - the godless (ch23:7 - "one must be "armed" to chop them down and they will be utterly consumed with fire")
4.A leader who does not want to sacrifice to the lord without a cost! (ch24:24 - "for i cannot offer burnt offerings to the lord my god that have cost me nothing")
5.A leader who desires mercy more than justice and reason .(stories of shimei/mephibosheth - ch19)
6.A leader who is not happy with the unjust death of his enemy ! (ch 4 :11 - "now what reward should i give to the wicked men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed?should i not also demand your very lives?")
7.A leader who is emotional and tearful (ch18:33 - "the king was overcome with emotion.he went up to his room over the gateway and burst into tears!")
8.A Leader who is willing to act like a fool in order to show his joy in the lord!(ch6:21 - So i am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the lord.Yes I am willing to look even more foolish than this!" )

A leader who is emotional rather than cold and calculative, who is willing to be a fool for the sake of the lord rather than trying to prove his wisdom to the world and be an instrument of wrath as and when the lord wills rather than protect his people to preserve his image would be scorned by the world as an inefficient and unsuccessful one.The qualities exhibited by David such as mercy would be equated for weakness and refusal to delight in his support systems would be regarded as poor usage of human resources according to the corrupt standards of this world!

Only a person who is willing to rule like David "who rules in the fear of the lord;he is like the light of the morning -ch23:4"

May the lord deliver me from the lust to be successful rather than to be obedient and truthful to his will!