True Leaders Have Great Integrity - 1 Samuel 26-31

1 Samuel 26:17-20 (ESV)

Saul recognized David's voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

A true King is a person of great integrity and great honor.  Notice what David himself wrote in the following Psalm:

Psalms 15 (ESV)

Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill?

A PSALM OF DAVID.

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

and speaks truth in his heart;

who does not slander with his tongue

and does no evil to his neighbor,

nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

but who honors those who fear the LORD;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

who does not put out his money at interest

and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

David knew the throne of Israel was his.  God had already promised it to him.   But, he also knew that at this present time, Saul was on the throne.  Rather than take matters into his own hands, David considered himself a “flea” in God’s plan.   Saul was a wicked ruler.   David could have overthrown him and no one would have objected.  But, David knew that his kingdom would be tarnished as a result of his overthrowing Saul.   David was willing to wait for God’s timing.   True leaders have this integrity about them.  They are willing to wait for God’s timing and allow God’s plan to unfold in God’s ways.   David often makes mistakes and falls into sinful desires and traps.  But, he was willing to allow God to put him where he needed to be and take short cuts to get there.