We tend to think that being called and anointed by God gives us a favored status which lifts us above accountability. The story of David reminds us that anointing brings greater accountability. David was a man after God’s heart and God anointed him to be king over Israel. The story of his defeat over Goliath is legendary and established him a one of Israel’s great heroic figures. As with most successful people, David was tempted to think too highly of himself. In David we have an example of an unintentional toxic leader. He began well, but his failures had lasting consequences.
We are told that David arose from his bed and “walked around on the roof of the king’s house” (2 Samuel 11:2). In other words, David was lifted up with all things under his feet. If there is any doubt of the arrogance that had overtaken David, all we must do is consider how he treated those under his charge. As he surveyed his capital city he inadvertently saw a beautiful woman bathing – Bathsheba. He sent for her, had sex with her, and sent her away. When she sent word that she was pregnant, David conspired to have her husband murdered (2 Samuel 11:1ff). The man who was anointed to be Israel’s shepherd became an authoritarian predator. The man who defeated the giant could not defeat his own passions. Integrity in leadership is no small matter.
The prophet Nathan confronted him, “Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight?” (2 Samuel 12:9). The young shepherd with a heart after God had become a powerful king who came to view himself as beyond accountability to the law of God. He had succumbed to self-deception. David’s disobedience gave an opportunity for “the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (2 Samuel 12:14). Every time a Christian leader falls, the cause of Christ is dishonored.
Upon hearing Nathan’s accusation David cried out, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). Suddenly his self-deception gave way to confession and self-discovery. Psalm 51 is traditionally attributed as David’s prayer of repentance. As we carefully read the words of this ancient prayer we can hear sounds of brokenness. David speaks of bones broken by the Lord (51:8). Bones are symbols of strength and flourishing (Psalm 34:21; Job 20:11; Proverbs 15:30; Isaiah 66:14). Broken bones are symbolic of a soul in agony. David pled that God would restore the joy of salvation (51:12), but we know that David’s later years were filled with despair.
Joy did not return to the house of David. The first child of David and Bathsheba died as an infant, breaking David’s heart. David’s son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar. Out of anger Absalom, another of David’s sons, avenged his sister by killing Amnon. Absalom then fled the city. When the news of these events was brought to David, he and all his servants wept very bitterly (2 Samuel 13:36). Later Absalom rebelled against his father and was killed in battle. When David heard the news of his son’s death he cried out in agony, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33). Because of David’s disobedience, God had raised up a sword against the house of David (2 Samuel 12:10). Divine anointing does not remove a leader from accountability. Judgement begins with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
David lived a long life and reigned as king for forty years (1 Kings 2:10f). Even though David’s house was in disarray because of his sin, God preserved the dynasty. But the seeds of David’s disobedience would continue to plague the nation. David had fallen far and hard, but could testify to the mercy of God (Psalm 37:23:f).
God is gracious, even as we fall. Even in despair David was not cast from the presence of the Lord, but sustained by the Lord’s gracious hand (Psalm 51:11-12). But the fall still hurts and injures leader and followers alike. Sometimes grace and judgment are simultaneous companions. Secret sins become public scandal (2 Samuel 12:12; Numbers 32:23). A life of public acclaim ends in public embarrassment. The seeds of toxic leadership bear poisonous fruit generation after generation. As David’s life came to an end, the once powerful man was broken, lacking vitality. The most beautiful virgin in Israel was recruited to sleep with David. But, the man who was renowned as the giant-killer died impotent (1 Kings 1:1-4). Such is the end of a toxic leader.
