One of the great tests of a leader, is a team member who surpasses them. Saul could handle David being ‘great’…but he couldn’t tolerate David being ‘greater’.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 18:7-8a
“And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him.”
Observation
One of the great tests of a leader, is a team member who surpasses them. Saul had no problem with David when he was killing Goliath. He had no issue with David when Jonathon was lavishing gifts on him. Saul had no problem with David being a military commander–but as soon as the minstrels and bards began to compare David’s heroism with Saul’s achievements, pride and jealousy took over. He could handle David being ‘great’…but he couldn’t tolerate David being ‘greater’.
Application
Jealousy is an insidious thing. It turns trust into doubt, victory into conflict, and celebration into suspicion. The mark of a great leader is someone who can not only raise others up to the leader’s level, but keep on inspiring, guiding, and elevating them up to their own full potential…even when that surpasses the skill or capacity of the leader.
A jealous leader quickly becomes a cap on the entire structure. A leader who refuses to let jealousy take root instead becomes a pillar that can elevate the entire structure to new heights.
This week, I need to celebrate the gifts and abilities of those I lead–and pray for wisdom to help them grow to their full potential…not merely to the limits of my own capacity.
Prayer
God, give me the courage to reject jealousy from taking root in my heart. Help me to recognize when I am about to act out of insecurity, and instead help me to celebrate and champion those in my care to become everything that you created them to be.
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