As we prepare to leave the examples of King Saul’s leadership behind and move on to David and other leaders in 2 Samuel, it seems it may be wise to do one last comparison of the differences in leadership between Israel’s first and second king. Read 2 Samuel 5:1-4.

From the studies of previous weeks the following are some similarities of Saul and David:

Leaders who fail to plan for their departure invite trouble on their team. Read 2 Samuel 2:4-11.

Saul could have been a hero if he had cooperated with God in preparing David to succeed him. Instead, Saul’s death led to all kinds of turmoil over who would be the next king. Despite Saul’s knowledge that God, through the prophet Samuel, had anointed David to be the next king, he viewed David as someone attempting to seize power. Saul’s decision not to aid his nation in finding their next leader after his departure caused the people of Israel several years of confusion after Saul’s death.

Many leaders choose to separate the spheres of work and spirituality. God’s desire is that leaders come to Him with all their requests, asking Him first for direction and guidance. Read 2 Samuel 2:1-4.

This passage, and others like it, demonstrates that David relied on God to help him in his decision-making process. Seeking God was the master key to David’s leadership success.

Romans 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Leaders may need to earn their influence but the authority of a godly leader comes from God. Read 2 Samuel 1.

When David hears that King Saul and his son Jonathan have died in battle, he mourns deeply for his friend Jonathan. But David also weeps for Saul the man who: