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Profile in Integrity: Samuel
1 Samuel 12:1-4 (from The Message): Samuel addressed all Israel: “I’ve listened to everything you’ve said to me, listened carefully to every word, and I’ve given you a king. See for yourself: Your king among you, leading you! But now look at me: I’m old and gray, and my sons are still here. I’ve led you faithfully from my youth until this very day. Look at me! Do you have any complaints to bring before God and his anointed? Have I ever stolen so much as an ox or a donkey? Have I ever taken advantage of you or exploited you? Have I ever taken a bribe or played fast and loose with the law? Bring your complaint and I’ll make it right.” “Oh no,” they said, “never. You’ve never done any of that—never abused us, never lined your own pockets.”
During his farewell speech, after leading Israel for decades, Samuel promised to repay anything he had unjustly taken from anyone. What a promise! Even more impressive was the people’s response. Not one person rose up to make a claim against Samuel.
Samuel’s honesty and personal integrity permeated every area of his life. These two characteristics directed how he regarded his possessions and his business dealings. Samuel held himself accountable to the people he led. As a result, Samuel’s leadership became legendary as this story has been told and retold throughout the centuries.
It’s important to note that leadership, for Samuel, was a stewardship, a responsibility, an honor. He demonstrated integrity because it was not his intention to demonstrate integrity. He was honest because his intention was not to be known as an honest man. He was fair and just because he wasn’t thinking about developing his reputation as an honest and just man. He was thinking about honoring God and serving God’s people. He wasn’t living to build a reputation. His higher calling and focus resulted in those things.
Profile in Integrity: David
In Psalm 32:5 (from The Message), David says, “Then I let it all out; I said, ‘I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.’ Suddenly the pressure was gone—my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.”
David is known as a “man after God’s heart.” David had integrity because he consistently held to the same standard. When he violated it, he called it sin—he never glossed it over, made excuses, or took it lightly. Psalm 32 shows how David’s sin broke his heart. He pleaded for forgiveness. He took his lumps. He learned and grew.
Integrity doesn’t demand perfection. Even the most morally committed people blow it. Integrity doesn’t guarantee a perfect life, but it does require an integrated life. When we violate our moral center, we must recognize that violation as sin and treat it as an aberration. Confess it, make restitution, seek forgiveness, and reconfirm the standard. David’s prayers of repentance show leaders what to do when they violate their commitment to God’s standards and want to re-establish their integrity.
Every leader has accomplishments or values for which they want to be remembered. What mattered most to Samuel…to David? How about you? Consider this question: What is your plan, specifically, to develop the same perspective that kept both Samuel and David on track for all of those years? Like the NIV Leadership Bible suggests, spend some time thinking about your own view of God and his role in your life of integrity.
And remember…you can’t “lead with integrity” if you don’t “live with integrity.” May you live a life of integrity as you shoot for the stars!