Visionary leadership: We badly need a David, warts and all

King Saul–as Israel’s founding king–had a chance to build a legacy. But he had problems with taking divine instructions. He modified them without consultation. He had self-generated ideas that contradicted his ‘boss’. This defiance without repentance led to his displacement and eventually, replacement. Surprisingly, he was not replaced by one of his tried and tested king-worthy aides. The appointment fell on an unknown shepherd boy.

Samuel was an exemplary, experienced and well-meaning leader whose love for God translated into a sincere love for the people. No one was as well placed to assess who among the sons of Jesse possessed...