I know leadership requires respect, but some people use 1st Samuel chapter 24, about the relationship between David and Saul, to talk about giving full support to leadership even when leadership is involved in wrong decisions. I have a doubt about this interpretation. Would you help me, please? -- Jacqueline Siles

David refuses to raise a hand against Saul, God's anointed, even though he is seeking to kill David and has made it abundantly clear that he is not to be trusted. 1 Samuel 26 contains the same lesson, all over again: we are not to raise a hand against the Lord's anointed. I would have a problem, however, viewing a church leader as "the Lord's anointed." Anointing was reserved, in OT times, for prophets, priests, and kings. It is not clear to me that any NT leadership role is analogous, with the possible exception of the (now defunct) NT apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20, 3:5, 4:11, etc). Of course Jesus Christ is the Lord's Anointed, by definition. He is the sole exception.

On the other hand, I believe there is a lesson for us in these OT chapters, and it has to do with our attitude when we feel trapped by unspiritual leadership. In such cases--and for this purpose it was written--I and others recommend Gene Edwards' A Tale of Three Kings (ISBN 0842369082). What is our attitude when wronged? 1 Peter deals with this at some length.

If leaders are doing wrong--and you are sure that this is not rumor, but proven fact--then one would have to ask the question, Is my faith being compromised by remaining under their leadership? (Note: "tested" is not the same thing as "compromised.") If so, then I have the option to resist: to find another biblical congregation to attend. And yet I think this should always be a last resort.

In the final analysis, I would ask you these questions:
* What wrong decisions?
* What are the consequences of "letting this slide"?
* What are your sources for your information?
* Is information being handled in a Christ-like manner (Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29)?

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