1 Chronicles 18:9-17: a reflection

9When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou); and he had with him all kinds of vessels of gold and silver and bronze. 11King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations: from Edom, from Moab, from the children of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 14David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness for all his people. 15Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe; 17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief officials serving the king.

As this account of David's reign draws to a close, it sums up not only his victories but the character of his rule: David reigned over all Israel, and he executed justice and righteousness for all his people. And it lists the officials he set over the various parts of his kingdom, the army, the records, the priesthood, the royal guard. David was remembered not only for conquering, but for governing justly and ordering the work of his kingdom well.

Notice what the account holds up alongside David's victories: justice and righteousness for all his people, and a well-ordered administration. His greatness was not only in winning battles, but in doing right by everyone under his rule, and in organizing the work of the kingdom through capable people. He used his authority not merely to triumph over enemies, but to establish justice for his people and to order the work well.

That is a fuller picture of good leadership than we often hold. We can measure leaders by their triumphs, their victories, their visible successes; but David is remembered also for justice and righteousness for all, and for governing well. Leadership, in any sphere, is not only about winning and achieving, but about doing right by those under our care, and ordering the work well so that others can serve. If you have any authority or leadership, over a family, a team, an organization, use it not only for visible successes, but to do justice for all in your care, and to order the work well through others. Be remembered, as David was, not only for what you achieved, but for the justice and good order you established for those you led.

Lord, as this account of David's reign closes, it holds up not only his victories, but that he executed justice and righteousness for all his people, and ordered the work of his kingdom well through capable officials. Give me a fuller picture of good leadership. I can measure leaders by their triumphs and visible successes; but David is remembered also for justice and righteousness for all, and for governing well. Leadership, in any sphere, is not only about winning and achieving, but about doing right by those under my care, and ordering the work well so that others can serve. If I have any authority or leadership, over a family, a team, an organization, help me use it not only for visible successes, but to do justice for all in my care, and to order the work well through others. Help me be remembered, as David was, not only for what I achieve, but for the justice and good order I establish for those I lead. Make me a just and faithful steward of any authority you give me.