The Anointed Tyrant
Reflective Reading: 1st Samuel 24
Do you have an anointed tyrant in your life? If so, be prepared, things may get worse! Not familiar with the term “anointed tyrant”? Let me explain…
Once upon a time, I had a very difficult boss. He rarely smiled, and once a week he would read to me a list of my weaknesses, failures, and character flaws.
I hated those weekly appointments. They felt more like tormenting exercises. I can remember times when I would share my plight with another colleague, both of us agreeing that we were being unjustly wronged by a roughshod boss who cared only for himself. Enough was enough; I wasn’t going to take it anymore. So one day, I confronted him and told him that if he continued to treat me like a dog, I was going to quit.
I will never forget his response. “If you quit now, you’ll quit every time you’re facing something difficult.” That wasn’t the response I was expecting. Was he right? Would this set a pattern of quitting every time I was confronted with a difficult task or a difficult boss?
Maybe he was right. And though I didn’t like the treatment, I stayed. The next few years didn’t get any better, until I read I Samuel 24. It is the story of David, who is finally in the position of getting rid of abusive King Saul once and for all. For years, David has been fleeing for his life, and now he has the perfect opportunity to not only get rid of the godless tyrant but also take his place as king. And why not? God had already promised David the position of king years ago!
There they are in the cave of Engedi. Saul is defenseless and vulnerable. David’s mighty men are whispering to strike while the iron is hot. “Strike him, David! Now is your time!” Certainly, the opportunity to defeat this foe seems to be arranged by the Providence of God. But David said something that struck my heart:
“The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD” (1 Samuel 24:6b).
Twice, David points out that the man who is making his life miserable is indeed God’s anointed. David understood that his difficult boss was God’s preparation for kingship. The day I understood this truth was the day that I was able to move forward in my preparation for leadership. One of the most important preparations for leadership is to first learn to follow, especially when it’s difficult to do so.
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (I Peter 5:5-10).
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading:
Sir Malcolm book/audio drama (Ages 6+)
Rising to the Top book/audiobook (Ages 9+)
Come What May (Ages 12+)
Tale of Three Kings (Ages 12+)
