Leaders must know their followers - 1 Samuel 15-19

In this section we see the story of David and his son Absalom and the fight over the throne. Absalom was used by God to punish David for his previous sins. As we read the story we see just how God made this happen and David's response to God's allowing Absalom to cause an uprising. In chapter 15 we read that Absalom "stole" the heart of the people by sitting in the city gate. True leadership must stay in touch with their followership. We see this demonstrated after David is restored to the kingdom and to kingship when we read 19:8; where David returns to the city gate himself. If you want to lead you have to be willing to mix with those you follow and make yourself accessible to the followership. God uses "relationships" to make leadership strong. David lost his followership originally because he was unwilling, too busy, or lacked interest in the people. But, when he returns to lead he immediately goes back to the fundamental step of leadership: connectivity with followership. God makes leadership strong; but, He expects us to make sure we do our part as leadership to make relationships within our leading strong.