Leadership for the Whole: Embracing Unity and Overcoming Tribalism

After years of warfare with the House of Saul, David finally stepped into the leadership role prophesied by Samuel. Unlike Saul, who focused on his appearance and lost sight of his mission, David was known as a man after God’s own heart.

While tribalism was the norm, David defied expectations by striving to be a leader for the entire nation. When an Amalekite claimed responsibility for Saul’s death, David rebuked him instead of rewarding him, convicting him of murder.

David made deliberate efforts to build bridges with Saul’s descendants, even welcoming Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth to his table. However, he continually faced rivalries and mistrust. Abner, the captain of Saul’s army, defected and brought troops with him. In retaliation for his brother’s death, Joab, David’s army leader, killed Abner. Additionally, when David fled Jerusalem, a member of Saul’s tribe named Shimei cursed and threw rocks at him, refusing to accept him as the legitimate king.

The root cause of David’s struggles was tribalism, which prioritizes loyalty to one’s own group over others. This phenomenon is evident in many Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries today, where tribal divisions hinder the establishment of Western-style democracy. It is also increasingly seen in the United States, where diversity is sometimes perceived as a threat, leading people to cling tightly to their way of life.

Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam faced a similar challenge when his white Christian base wanted to make the Bible the official state book. Despite the desire to preserve Judeo-Christian values, this move violated constitutional provisions and alienated the population of Kurdish descent who sought equal protection under the law.

Governor Haslam, aware of his responsibility to govern for all citizens, vetoed the law. In an interview with Don Miller on the podcast “Business Made Simple,” he emphasized the importance of leading with empathy, engendering trust, and upholding democracy. Haslam recognized that the decisions made by today’s leaders can have long-lasting consequences.

Proverbs 29:2 reminds us that righteous leaders bring joy to the people, while the rule of the wicked brings groaning. The examples of David and Governor Haslam demonstrate that true righteousness means looking beyond tribal boundaries and working for the well-being of all.