CONSULTIVE LEADERSHIP

King David had the wisdom to consult with his leaders before making major decisions. In 1 Chronicles 12 we read of the famous consortium with David and his Thirty Mighty Men. These leaders were some very fierce and qualified warriors. The text says: “They were bowmen who could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand,” “mighty men of valor and experienced warriors, expert with shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were swift as gazelles upon the mountains,” “were officers of the army; the least was a match for a hundred men and the greatest for a thousand. These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west.” (12:2; 8; 14-15) These are some bad dudes.

Wise King David asked the Thirty Mighty Men, “If you have come to me peacefully to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”

They agreed to serve David in peace and fully give themselves to his leadership. David consulted with each of them and made his decisions. Later in this chapter we read, “there was a great army, like the army of God,” “a perfect heart and one mind.” (12:22; 38-39)

1 Chronicles 13:1 tells the wisdom: “Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, with every leader.” People are smart in groups relying on the other person’s gifts. Everyone is gifted but coalition through consultation is the strongest gifting and principle.

“You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain.” Jesus