
“Principled Leadership”
2 Samuel 23:1-7
Darrin Marriot, Lead Pastor
Big Idea: Spiritual leadership heeds the call of God, seeks the Word of God, and models a Christlike spirit.
2 Samuel 23:1-7
1 Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel2 “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.3 The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God4 he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.5 “For does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?6 But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand7 but the man who touches them arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they are utterly consumed with fire.”
I. The Call to Godly Leadership (vv. 1-7)
A. Most, if not all of us, have seen and experienced the need for
good leadership. But even more critical is the need for godly
leadership that emphasizes the glory of God and the good of
others (cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
1 Peter 5:1-4
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
B. In these verses, we see a reflective David remind us:
1. God empowers those He calls (vv. 1-2; cf. Heb. 13:20-21; 2
Cor. 9:8) – Where God guides, He provides.
Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2. Spiritual leadership seeks God and His righteousness (vv. 3-
4; cf. Prov. 9:10) – Godly leaders submit to God’s Word.
Proverbs (9:10)
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
3. Unspiritual leaders seek their own good and prove to be an
irritant to others (vv. 6-7) – Such leaders do not seek God’s
wisdom, but pursue their own agenda.
C. As David nears the end of his life, he not only looks back, but
he also looks forward with confidence that God will fulfill every
promise (v. 5). Spiritual leadership takes God at His Word and
inspires others to live with faith and hope in Messiah Jesus.
II. The Example of Godly Leadership (cf. Matt. 20:20-28)
Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
A. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am
of Christ” (ESV). This may seem presumptuous, but Paul is
pointing us to our supreme example of godly leadership:
Messiah Jesus.
B. Jesus teaches us that when it comes to spiritual leadership:
1. Greatness comes through service (vv. 25-26) – Stepping
on others is the world’s recipe for success but serving others
is the recipe for success in God’s economy.
2. Spiritual leadership involves sacrifice (vv. 27-28) – Worldly
success means sacrificing others for selfish gain, but
spiritual success means denying self to bless others.
C. Jesus is not dismissing the importance of leadership, but He is
pointing out the proper motives for leadership that emphasize
humility and a concern for others above self (cf. Phil. 2:1-4).