Chayei Sarah Drash 5784

Leaders must Act

This weeks Parsha includes 1 Kings 1. Whether it was the social atmosphere or the Ruach Kodesh at the time I was preparing for this drash, reading about the passing of King David and the concern of who would succeed him stood out to me.

We read in 1 Kings 1:5–6 “Now Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: “I’ll be king!” So he prepared for himself chariots, horsemen and 50 men to run before him. His father had not scolded him at any time by asking: “Why have you behaved this way?” He was also a very handsome man; and he was born after Absalom.”

The kingdom of Yisrael was in a transitional phase and was about to enter what is arguably one its most golden chapters, yet as things tend to do it was starting out with conflict.

King David was not yet dead, but his time was not long. He could not keep himself warm in the arid Land of Yisrael. Adonijah whose very name means “God is Lord” is assuming the throne without even consulting with his own father. He is taking actions to gather support and everything is all but assured that he will be the next king.

Funny how it seems to happen that in many ways large groups of people assume things are decided, or just, or good. Yet they did not confer with their Earthly King or their Heavenly King about the thing.

The part of this chapter that stood out to me is 1 Kings 1:20 “As for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.”

Many of us are leaders in our homes, social circles or in our work and the eyes of all are on us. A true leader does not shift under that gaze, but is decisive and acts accordingly.

As a leader many times things are brought to me that honestly should not require my attention. In the moment there are issues that seem like mountains to the people involved, but I know it is really something petty or selfish. Many times events transpire that will resolve themselves or are only important because of emotional stimulation and response that is a manipulation of people.

As a leader I also know that there are times when I must be decisive and do something. Judgments or direction must be given and justice or action must be taken. Leaders lead and are active not passive in their communities.

The reality is most of the people I lead want me involved in the things they can take care of themselves or they want me to stay out of the things they know I would act against. In other words they do not want real leadership they only want their own way reinforced. This is called power behind the throne.

Bath-sheba reminded David that everyone needed him to be a leader 1 last time. She did so humbly and without provocation. She did so without questioning his leadership or capabilities.

David as a leader acted directly, swiftly, and without confusion. Those of us that are leaders must do the same. When the people we lead are wrong we must tell them so, when there are provocateurs, such as Joab, they must be dealt with harshly, and when there is questions of direction we must answer them. Like wise when we are wrong we must be the first to acknowledge it and ask Hashem for forgiveness.

I want to be a leader like David, a man after God’s own heart. I pray that Hashem will give me the wisdom, discernment and strength to act in accordance to his will. My hope is that in doing so I may serve my God and King as the servant he always intended for me to be.