David knew how to develop other leaders. He didn’t use people to get what he wanted. He recognised what unique things they carried, gave them opportunities to serve, then rewarded and honoured them. And as a result, they were willing to lay down their lives for him. In 2 Samuel 23 they even risked their lives to get him a cup of water: ‘David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem”…So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well…and brought it to David’ (vv. 15-16 NKJV). When we find ourselves in a leadership role, our natural tendency is to give others tasks to do rather than leadership roles that fit them. But if we don’t delegate leadership – with authority as well as responsibility – people won’t actually learn what they need to become leaders themselves. Of course, they’ll make mistakes. But if we’ve picked people with genuine leadership ability, they’ll learn from that. Dr John Maxwell writes: ‘As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to think of myself as a lid lifter. That’s my main function as a team leader. If I can lift the leadership lids for the members of my team, then I’m doing my job. The more barriers I remove for my people, the more likely they are to rise up to their potential.’ In the quiet place, David knew his Heavenly Father. And so, he too fathered leaders who became known as ‘mighty men’.
What now?
What responsibility do you have? Lead a youth group? Look after a small group? See where you can delegate to others and give them leadership.