David’s spirit of leadership certainly speaks to us today! This is the spirit of leadership in which Jesus operated, making the kingdom David established eternal. David’s writing are quoted often in the New Testament, especially with regards to Messiah and kingdom. The spirit of leadership that marked David’s life was brought to greatest fullness and fulfillment in Messiah.
Recall that “Messiah” means “anointed one.” David’s spiritual anointing gives us insight into the way the Anointing functioned in Jesus, a kingdom anointing, authority, and assignment. David wasn’t perfect or sinless, by any means, but God began something with David’s leadership He wanted available to His people. God wanted this spirit of leadership available, and we can understand better the spirit of leadership in which Jesus functioned in David. God still wants this spirit of leadership to function in the kingdom, especially now that Jesus has made this spirit of leadership the ultimate mark for kingdom leaders.
Spiritual Leadership
David’s heart was like God’s heart because of David’s spirit. The spiritual aspect of David’s leadership is the most defining characteristic of his leadership, not the physical, mental, or emotional reposes that emanate from it. David’s heart responded to his spirit, and his soul was characterized by his spirit. David’s leadership was SpiritFirst.
The very term “anointed” and hence “Messiah” speaks to SpiritFirst living and leadership. The mark of David’s leadership was spiritual, and that fundamental characteristic then marked his emotional, mental, volitional, and physical behaviors.
The contrast with Saul is stark. While Saul and David had the same anointing, the dominance of spirit is nearly polar opposite. The reactions of Saul contrast to the responses of David in nearly area of kingly authority. Immediately Saul was crowned, he ruled with his soulish nature on display, motivated by flesh, reacting to circumstances with natural sentiments, jumping to conclusions, and functioning like a spoiled, immature child. Saul failed to respond to principle and purpose because he was not SpiritFirst in his leadership.
At times Saul was ready to kill his own son on a whim and impulse. Saul would probably be a case study of kingdom leadership position that was narcissistic, soulish, and fleshly, an excellent example of a leader who grieved and quenched the Spirit. Saul would be the Esau of kingdom leadership, despising his assignment and using his authority to create an environment that manifested himself more than God. Saul didn’t represent God in His kingdom, so God removed His spiritual leadership in Saul. In fact, the Bible says God a different spiritual condition and reality to Saul’s life that was tormenting.
People have had a difficulty with the idea that God sent an evil spirit to torment Saul since the Bible wording is clearly “from The Lord.” The state of Saul’s leadership was such that God refused to allow Saul to represent Him in the earth, so God altered the spiritual condition of Saul’s leadership so that it was clearly not representative of heaven, but of rebellion, witchcraft, and darkness. In this way, somewhat like the phrasing Paul uses about sinful people, “God gave them up to a mind devoid of judgment.” Their behavior is clearly not godly, and God allows the revelation of the spiritual source of this behavior open definition.
So, God makes it clear to Saul, the kingdom, and history, that Saul’s spirit of leadership didn’t represent heaven, and says that He intends to have a spirit of leadership.
