When the Crowd is Right

2 Samuel 18:3-5

Normally the leader sets the pace but from time to time the leader needs to bow to the wisdom of the group.

David said, "I will do whatever seems best to you."

He had planned on taking the lead in the coming battle but the people recognized quite correctly that on this occassion it was best this great military leader remain off of the front lines.

We must not let our stubborness keep us from hearing words of wisdom that come from the lips of others. Sometimes God's voice does come through the wisdom of others.

Lay your will down and accept His will regardless of how that revelation comes.

It is important to be able to discern when these times come. The wisdom from the crowd was based on two things. First it was based on the good of the Kingdom. Secondly it was based on the good of the leader.

The crowd was not limiting David's leadership. They were protecting both him and the Kingdom. The leader must look beyond his own ego to determine if the wisdom of the crowd is for their convenience or for the good of the Kingdom.

In this verse another reason for David to remain off of the front comes through. His own emotions were clouding his wisdom. He, as a father was quite concerned over the welfare of his son. He had forgotten that son did not share the same concern for him.

Had David gone to the front line he would have preserved the one creating the rebellion. Unless Absalom had a change of heart this action on David's part would have only delayed the inevitable.

A leader cannot allow his personal situations to cloud his vision. He must see what is best for the people he is leading.

There is no way to mitigate the pain the leader will feel when the welfare of the people being led and the welfare of the leader's family are in conflict