2 Samuel 8:15-18 – The effect of a good and godly leader

David carefully did his part in ruling Israel. He discharged all the responsibilities expected of him. As the king, he ensured that Israel was advancing. He led his army into wars and aggressively subdued the enemies. David gained much ground for the nation as he gathered gold, silver, and bronze to build the house of God. While he was doing all that he also made sure that the home-front, his country was not neglected. He put different people in positions so that Israel as a nation was effectively governed and administrated.

Here in 2 Samuel 8:15, we are told that he took care to ensure justice by administering it righteously. The two words justice and righteousness suggest that he was fair in administering justice. David was fair when justice needed to be served, regardless of their social standing. Being a just person also implied that he did not resort to underhanded ways of dealing with his people. He could not be bribed. It is easy for people in power to become self-indulgent and do things to aggrandize themselves. But not David. This could be attributed to the fact that God held a very key place in his heart. Without being mindful and conscious of God in one’s life and work, it is so easy for one to pander to the self and renege in one’s duty. David, according to Psalm 16:8, set the Lord continually before him. He even said that because God was constantly at his right hand, hence he would not be shaken.  

In these verses of Samuel, we also see David placing key people in the respective positions to ensure the smooth running of the nation. He did not try to do everything by himself. It is a fact that it takes a good team to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the nation. Being well aware of that, he put the right people into key positions. Verse 16-18 detailed the assignments. Different people were assigned their roles. Joab the son of Zeruiah was made the general over his army. Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was made the nation’s recorder. For priestly duties, David assigned Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar. Then he made Seraiah as the secretary. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, David placed him in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites. These were probably his team of bodyguards. Finally, we are told that his sons were his chief ministers.

Effectiveness and efficiency of any organization or community, including the church, can only be achieved with a good leader with a good team. The leader has to ensure that the right people with the right gifts are placed in positions that they are made for. As the leader, David did all that. It must also be said that the people assigned to the respective positions must also be capable of discharging their duties to ensure effectiveness. Many communities fail to function effectively because wrong people without the necessary temperaments are placed in roles that they could not efficiently discharge. They were promoted to incompetency. Hence the community they are a part of, suffers. We must take a lesson from David, whether in leading the home, school, office, nation, or especially the church. With divine enablement, a good leader, and a right team, each fulfilling his responsibility, the church as God’s redemptive agency on earth will advance to bring glory to His name. Every one of us is God’s redemptive agent and we must offer our giftings and talents to God for the advancement of His Kingdom.