CONSIDERING THOSE WITH US

I Samuel 23:1-5
There is an article on my DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT BLOG from the same passage, dt.13th Feb. '09, entitled HEARING GOD'S VOICE #5 ... but for here, I am going to be focussing just on a leadership principle, which I see prominent in the life of David.

David is not yet King over Israel, but has already been anointed by Samuel.
He is on run, just as a fugitive, for his life, from a raving King, Saul.

It is during such a time that he hears the news that the city of Keilah is under attack by the Philistines.
He promptly inquires of the Lord (vs.2) to see if he should go on an attack, and he gets a green signal from the Lord.

Now, those who were going to 'stick out the neck' for him, were the 600 or so men who were with him (vs.13).
David doesn't command these men to go to fight, just because he heard the Lord.
He mentioned this to his people, who were naturally scared.
They think they are not even safe in their own place (vs.3), let alone another city.

2 things here:
a) David not only recognizes that his people need to be informed of his decision making process, but
b) Also gave them the freedom to express what they felt in their hearts.

He was a person who was willing to listen to both God and men around him.
A wise leader ... who made wise decisions.
He was forced to go back to the Lord and get it confirmed .. and now all happy, they go and conquer and free Keilah and rout the Philistines.

How many of us are so proud to hear the voice of the Lord, and care less for those whom we are leading, or those following us?
Do we have the slightest of concerns for their welfare, or are we caught up with our ego .. that only I can hear God!!
Or how about the feeling, that when I hear God, I am always right!