There is a very interesting paradox of leadership that exists and is visible in and through David: notoriety. David was not at all concerned about making his name great; he was concerned with pleasing God. This wasn't the case with Saul. Isn't it ironic that Saul, the one who cared so much about being remembered, was forgotten and that David, the one who cared about making God great, is the one who was remembered? It is one of the great paradoxes surrounding the Christian life. Those people who are most remembered are not the ones who try to be remembered; they're the ones who try, like John the Baptist, to decrease themselves so the Lord can increase. Can you imagine what David felt like when God told him that HE would build DAVID a house? It's the exact opposite of what David planned to do. Leaders today would be wise to learn that lesson. In fact, Jesus spoke on it as is recorded in several places. I appreciate how Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message from Matthew 23:11-12:
Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
David didn't make David's house; God did it because David was committed to doing what pleased the Lord.
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