12 ABISHAI SON OF ZERUIAH DESTROYED 18,000 EDOMITES IN THE VALLEY OF SALT.
13 He placed army garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. In fact, the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
14 So David reigned over all Israel and DID WHAT WAS JUST AND RIGHT FOR ALL HIS PEOPLE."
1 Chronicles 18:12-14 (NLT)
• In this piece, we want to look at one or two things that could be learnt and emulated in the life of David—the King of Israel.
- A leader should passionately have a quest to raise others. Every believer is primarily expected to bring others to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18,19). You are saved to serve (Ephesians 2:10).
- And beyond leading others to Christ Jesus, you are to disciple or mentor them, prepare or groom them to be useable vessels in God's hand (1 Corinthians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:19-21).
- Some people are looking up to you, your life is an example for others to follow, or to pattern their lives after (1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:9).
- If you compromised your faith in Christ Jesus, you had let God down. Thus, wherever you may find yourself, you are God's representative (Matthew 5:13-16).
- One thing out of other good things that was found in David's life is, he had the ability to train or raise others, to do whatever he himself had done (1 Samuel 22:2; 2 Samuel 23:8-38).
- Our text says, Abishai son of Zeruiah destroyed eighteen thousand Edomites in the valley of salt (1 Chronicles 18:12).
- One of the signs of good leadership is the ability to discover the strength, the hidden or latent potentialities, of the people under your leadership. And being able to help them in developing the potentials and be able to do of, or more than, whatever you do or have done.
• The people under David's leadership, who were said to be Men of valour, were discontented people when they came to him (1 Samuel 22:2), who seemed not to have a future; but their relationships with David brought a change to their lives and destiny. They became mighty and great men—people of great exploits.
- The same thing happened in the earthly Ministry of Jesus Christ. The Disciples who turned the then known world upside down were nobodies, mere fishermen. But their relationship or union with Christ Jesus brought a change to everything about them and their lives.
- It was attested by the Jewish leaders that they, the Apostles, were unlearned men, but what they heard them speak baffled them, then they, the religious leaders, concluded that the association or relationship of the Disciples with Christ Jesus made them who they were (Acts 4:13).
• Another good attribute of leadership found in the Bible passage of our text is that David was fair to everyone (1 Chronicles 18:14 NLT).
- Fairness and justice should be the hallmark of a good leader. David would not want anyone to be treated unjustly (2 Samuel 23:3). And would not want to expedite what he even knows God wanted him to have (1 Samuel 26:9-11).
- A young Amalekite man who attributed the killing of Saul to himself was commanded to be slained by David, despite the fact that Saul was after David's life when he was alive. He could have rejoiced and rewarded the young man for executing his archenemy, who did not want him to be enthroned (2 Samuel 1:1-16; 2 Samuel 4:10).
- Some persons went to killed Saul's son who succeeded his father and brought his head to David, thinking they would be commended, but he, David, instructed that they should be killed (2 Samuel 4:5-12).
- Also, when David and his Men defeated those who invaded their Base in Ziklag, and they pursued and recovered all that belong to them, and with other spoils or booties (1 Samuel 30:18-20).
- Some of his men suggested that those who were fagged out that could not go with them should not be given part of the booties or spoils (1 Samuel 30:21,22).
- But David disagreed:
23 BUT DAVID SAID, "My brethren, YOU SHALL NOT DO SO WITH WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. 24 "For who will heed you in this matter? BUT AS HIS PART IS WHO GOES DOWN TO THE BATTLE, SO SHALL HIS PART BE WHO STAYS BY THE SUPPLIES; THEY SHALL SHARE ALIKE" (1 Samuel 30:23,24 NKJV).
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- If you are sick in your body as you read this piece, I declare your healing now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- Whatever is not planted in your body, that is working against your health, is cursed and completely uprooted, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!