Unstable Leadership

I like Saul. He is an outstanding man, but his heart is lifted up with some pride and there is a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 KJV 1900

Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.

Read Passage, making comments along the way.

The Philistine had disarmed the Israelite. They took all the swords and battle weapons and kept track of their farming tools. The Jews would go to a Philistine to have his tools sharpened.

They kept track of the tools, a registry.

They charged high prices to sharpen the tools. (1/4 ounce of silver “Pim”).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 13:19–23

13:19–23. This parenthetical note explains that the Israelites were at a big disadvantage because they were not skilled in the manufacture and use of iron; the Philistines had kept them from metallurgy for fear the Israelites would make swords and spears. The Philistines had apparently learned sophisticated metallurgy from the Hittites or other Anatolian peoples with whom they had come in contact as part of the Sea People’s migration from the Aegean Sea area to Canaan around 1200 B.C. Israel had to depend on the Philistines for iron weapons and tools (v. 20). In wartime such services were not available, so only Saul and … Jonathan had iron weapons (v. 22).

BECOME A STABLE LEADER.

Unstable Leadership has 3 characteristics:

Reactionary. 13:6-8

Distressed

Hiding

Trembling

Scattering

Saul assumed a role and performed a duty that he was not qualified do do or called to do.

Saul was told to wait. Instead, he reacted to the situation, disobeying the Lord. vs. 13

The command to “wait” is simple, but hard to obey sometimes.

In our next lesson, we will explore the imperative of obedience.

Saul even practices “Self Justification” to excuse his actions of disobedience.

Reactionary

Rushed. 13:8-14

“I have to do something.”

“I Cannot wait any longer.”

“I will take matters into my own hands.”

Acts 13:22 KJV 1900

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

We must be patient as we serve the Lord.

James 5:7–8 KJV 1900

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Reactionary

Rushed

Rash. 14:24, 28-32, 37-45

Rashness:

Defies Common Sense. 14:29-30

Deifies the Common Man. 14:24 (The battle was not about Saul, but he made it about Saul).

Denies Crediting God. 23. God already gave them the victory. Saul was taking credit for “Clean up duty” chasing down the rest. Then he begins to expand the Kingdom that God is taking from him. 14:47.

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What is STABLE?

ADJECTIVE (of an object or structure) not likely to give way or overturn; firmly fixed:

Synonyms: firm, solid, steady, secure, fixed, strong, fast, stout, sturdy, safe.

Stable Leadership is:

Responsive, not Reactionary.

Patient, not Rushed.

Methodical, not Rash.

Become a Stable Leader.

1000 Fresh Illustrations (Illustration 1 > Leadership)

“Captain Comeback” Roger Staubach, 4 time Superbowl Quarterback, said, “The most important qualities of leadership are trust and integrity across the board. That doesn’t mean a leader has to be perfect, but how he handles things is critical, and that’s what leadership is.”

D and A

Why are we tempted to “react” in difficult situations?

What are some problems with impatience?

How does being “methodical” help us avoid being “rash?”

Share suggestions that could have helped Saul on that day.

Discuss the qualities that Jonathan displays in battle.