Taking The Lead In Conflict

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. 1 Samuel 11:7 KJV

Warren Bennis observes that, “Leaders do not avoid, repress, or deny conflict, but rather see it as an opportunity.” It was really an opportunity indeed for Saul. He had been anointed, but some people were still with misgivings about his leadership. The matter on hand was a national issue. No one enjoys conflicts, but Nahash was not going to go away with the threat he issued to Jabesh. Saul’s action produced a holy fear among the people. It takes leadership to get people together to function as a family. From every indication, there appears to be hope in Saul’s kingship. This initial outing was good. Even the stragglers had to join the cue. If you’ve never read the rest of the story of Saul, you will think the plot is in his favour. It could have been. This start was outstanding, and the mess of Nahash WS quickly put to rest. Imagine a gathering of three hundred thousand. V.9 is the climax. They told them that by noon the following day, help will arrive. A real leader speaks the end. It inspires confidence in the led. Nahash should have known there was now a King in Israel. The entire world was under this kind of threat when Christ was born. He had to be born in a manger, because there was no place. The enemy made a public show of him, but regrets it forever. May the King hidden in you show up for your conflicts. You were created to win.