David and Saul

As we have seen, secure leaders are grounded in a healthy understanding of themselves. Accordingly, they lead with confidence, humility, and integrity. By contrast, an insecure leader tends to lead from a place of fear, pride, or comparison. The biblical kings Saul and David provide an excellent example of both the key traits of a secure leader and an insecure leader.

King Saul and King David were both anointed by God. They were both empowered by His Spirit and given the authority to rule over Israel. However, their reigns offer a striking contrast in leadership. While both kings started their leadership well, Saul’s insecurities eventually led to his downfall, while David’s secure heart allowed him to reign with humility and faithfulness.

David versus Saul

From the very beginning, Saul showed signs of insecurity. 1 Samuel 9:21 reveals Saul’s insecurity when he responds to his calling by saying, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?” 

This smallness in Saul’s own eyes was reflected in his leadership style. He was deeply concerned with the opinion of others. He was fearful of man and struggled with pride. Saul became jealous and hardened his heart. Ultimately, he lost his faith. 

Here are some of the characteristics of his insecurity:

• Fear of man’s opinion (1 Samuel 15:24): Saul feared how others perceived him, which led to poor decisions.
• Jealousy: His jealousy of David’s success consumed him (1 Samuel 18:8-9).
• Disobedience: Saul’s lack of obedience to God’s commands (1 Samuel 15) led to his rejection as king.
• Pride: Despite his insecurities, Saul also displayed pride, which made him unteachable and closed to correction.

This combination of insecurity and pride led Saul to make decisions based on self-preservation rather than trust in God. It ultimately led to his demise. Saul’s reign is a powerful illustration of how insecurity can unravel even a strong start in leadership.

In contrast, David provides a model of secure leadership. From his early days as a shepherd to his reign as king, David’s identity was firmly rooted in his relationship with God. He knew who his God was, and therefore, he understood his own identity. When he faced Goliath, he declared confidently, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45). David’s security in God gave him the courage to face challenges without fear.

Key traits of David’s secure leadership include:

• Humility: Despite his position, David remained humble and teachable, as seen in his willingness to listen to correction from the prophet Nathan after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-13).
• Servant’s heart: David served Saul faithfully even after being anointed as king (1 Samuel 16-19). He did not grasp for power but waited for God’s timing.
• Repentance: When David sinned, he was quick to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, showing a contrite heart (Psalm 51:10).
• Loyalty: David’s loyalty to Saul, even when Saul sought to kill him, demonstrates a deep understanding of honoring God's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6).

David's leadership was far from flawless, but his heart after God (Acts 13:22) kept him grounded. His ability to repent and remain humble allowed him to lead with integrity and strength.