Another leadership style is Growing Leadership which is demonstrated by a well known biblical figure and king named David. Elmer Towns defines this leader as one who “continues to achieve personal growth throughout his / her tenure as a leader, growing with the task and overcoming the natural limits of the Peter Principle.” David definitely fits this mold as seen through I Samuel 16 – II Samuel 5, when he defeats Goliath, then becomes leader in King Saul’s army, and eventually becomes king and his growth never stops.

David is known as a man after God’s own heart. Since God looks at the inside of a man to determine the measure of the man, David is seen as a great candidate for being a leader, and I Samuel 16 – II Samuel 5 will be the backdrop for this discussion. David is anointed as the new king in chapter 16 and from then on he is continuing to grow in the leadership that God has blessed him with. His training began immediately, when he began playing the harp for king Saul and was thrust right into the middle of learning what a failed leader was, which gave him a glimpse of what not to be. Around this time the Nation of Israel is faced with a threat from the Philistines. Goliath the Philistine Champion gives a challenge that if anyone defeats him then they will surrender. No one takes the challenge, accept for when David hears of this and he is willing to go out and fight and his willingness here and his victory over Goliath, opened doors for his leadership to truly advance and take root. After this in chapter 18 it says that “he went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered and Saul set him over the men of war.” He was beginning to gain a great reputation not only among the men in Saul’s army but also the Nation of Israel, which aided in his leadership growth. Chapter 18:13-16 shows that he was not only gaining popularity and a reputation, but that he was willing to go amongst the people and build relationships. Later on David must escape from the hands of Saul, because he means to kill him. While in hiding and running for his life, he continues to grow in his leadership. Saul again through his terrible leadership pushes him to become a great leader, because he must learn what it means to be a great leader while on his own with many who had become loyal to him. From I Samuel 22:2 – 23:13 the number of David’s followers grew from four hundred to six hundred. Through this difficult and trying time of being hunted, his influence as a leader continues to magnify and he is accumulating more and more followers. Not long after this in II Samuel 2:4, he is anointed king over the house of Judah. David has grown from a shepherd boy to a king.  What amazing growth so far, but that’s not the end. When he became king he proved himself as king. This new kingship of David created an even greater animosity between the house of Saul and the house of David; although Saul was king of Israel his kingdom was becoming weaker and weaker, while David’s was getting stronger. In the midst of all this in II Samuel 3 – 4:12, Abner, a strong figure in Saul’s house, decided to join David’s house, but a strong figure in David’s house named Joab, kills him. King David reaches out to the nation of Israel in this time of mourning which shows a great deal of leadership and maturity. Because David continued to grow in his leadership and was faithful with the Nation of Judah, he is eventually anointed king over Israel as well.

This type of leadership style modeled by King David is something everyone needs to be a part of, especially in the Christian world. This Godly type of leadership needs to be pursued by pastors, teachers, politicians, professional athletes, and organization leaders. This is not just something for pastors, but is something that every Christian leader must begin to cling to. A stagnate leader will destroy things that have been built off of sweat and blood, but a growing leader will promote continued advancement.

Josh and Sharon Graff
The Woodlands, TX