How not to lead (5)

"The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

“How can I do that?” Samuel asked. “If Saul hears about it, he will kill me!”

The LORD answered, “Take a calf with you and say that you are there to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will tell you what to do. You will anoint as king the man I tell you to.” Samuel did what the LORD told him to do and went to Bethlehem, where the city leaders came trembling to meet him and asked, “Is this a peaceful visit, seer?”

“Yes,” he answered. “I have come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Purify yourselves and come with me.” He also told Jesse and his sons to purify themselves, and he invited them to the sacrifice."

~ 1 Samuel 6.1-5 GNB

Saul turned out to be a violent and unwise leader that Samuel feared for his life.

And Saul was so bad that the people of Bethlehem was fearful of the consequences of Samuel's visit. They were afraid that engagement with Samuel would get them into trouble.

Saul was so bad that God told Samuel to delay not in annointing the next king. Ironically, the annointed next king was not to become king for years to come. But God made it clear that Saul was no longer his annointed king.

When leading, it is easy to listen only to self-talk. And this is slippery slope.

Dear God
help me be sensitive
to the impact of my actions
and the need of others around me
wherever you put me