Leadership Verses
Servant leadership as modeled by Christ — wisdom for those called to lead.
Now then do {it}: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from {pursuing} a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner {was} not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
When Joab and all the host that {was} with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why {is} it {that} thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
And afterward when David heard {it}, he said, I and my kingdom {are} guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: {blood: Heb. bloods}
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that {were} with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David {himself} followed the bier. {bier: Heb. bed}
And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
And all the people took notice {of it}, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people. {pleased them: Heb. was good in their eyes}
For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?