Do you consider yourself a great leader?

Many believe great leaders are NFL football quarterbacks like
Johnny U, Bart Starr, and Tom Brady.

Now for a hard question, do you consider yourself a great leader?

The Bible provides us many examples of great leaders:
Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David and many others.

Today we are going to take a brief look at king David taking over from king Saul.

David made friends, battle companions, and his great reputation long before
he became king. Hence when king Saul passed, the transfer of power to David
was an easy choice.

What does the Bible say . . .

1 Samuel 17:57 (NIV)

57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him
before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.

2 Samuel 4:10 (NIV)

10 when a man told me, 'Saul is dead,' and thought he was bringing good news, I seized
him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news!

2 Samuel 5:1-5 (NIV) David Becomes King Over Israel

1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.
2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military
campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will
become their ruler.' "
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact
with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he
reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

2 Sam. 5:6-7 (NIV) David Conquers Jerusalem

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there.
The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can
ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." 7 Nevertheless, David captured
the fortress of Zion, the City of David.

2 Sam. 5:17-20 (NIV) David Defeats the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in
full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 19 so David inquired
of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?"
      The LORD answered him, "Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you."

20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break
out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me." So that place was
called Baal Perazim.

Questions:

Is it “ok” for society to choose sports heroes as role models?

Whom do you consider a great leader?

Who has taught you lessons to help you become a leader?

Does Jesus provide a good example of a great leader?

After a person becoming a great leader,
what is the next step?

References:

Accessed websites August 25, 2006

http://www.biblegateway.com

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p5197.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com/1965-Bart-Starr-card-excellent-condition_W0QQitemZ220019142331QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1082