There is a story in the Bible about a King (2 Samuel 11). A story that would make for a great Hollywood movie. Full of twists and turns, the human condition and redemption. With the right actors and actresses this movie would win multiple Oscars, no question. The story is about a well-known King named David. A historical figure known for his heroics as a boy against a giant named Goliath. Years after that underdog match up, David had emerged as King of the Israelites. He was a well loved King, fierce in battle and cunning against the enemies of the country. He had it all, but eventually self-destructed.

One spring, when it was time for the King's armies to go to war, King David made a decision, he would not go to war. Instead, he would send his generals and his assistants, and his legions of armies out to war and stay back in Jerusalem. He decided he would mail it in. Delegate the responsibility of being the King, while enjoying all of the privileges of the King’s courts. He remained at home in the palace while the men he “led” went to war. 

One day the King woke up from sleeping all day. Perhaps he was recovering from a night of “living the good life.” He woke up in the late afternoon/early evening and walked out to the balcony of his palace bedroom. Bored, he surveyed the rooftops of his Kingdom. From the balcony the King could see a woman bathing that caught his eye. He sent some assistants to see what her situation was. He was clearly interested in more than small talk, and discussions about the weather. 

Upon returning, The King’s assistants informed him that the woman’s name was Bathsheba, and she was married to one of the King’s well respected soldiers, a man named Uriah. Uriah was off at war on the front lines, serving in the King’s army. The King invited Bathsheba to his room. A few weeks later, King David got a letter in the mail. He wasn’t just a King anymore, he was now a Dad.

By now, King David was in a real situation. Sure being the King had its advantages, but it also came with an inherent responsibility to lead honorably. The public perception of this would not be good for the King. Even in a culture 3000 years ago, people didn’t find it acceptable to sleep with another’s spouse. He decided to maneuver his way out of the situation. He would create a story to throw this all under the rug. We can picture him scrambling for strategy. 

“Think Dave! Think!” Pacing on the very balcony that served as a window into forbidden pleasures, even for a King. 

He comes up with a plan in secret to solve all of his problems. A plan to hide his adultery and abuse of power.  He will “pull some strings” as the King and have Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, come back home from war to sleep with Bathsheba and make it seem like the child is a result of their marriage and not David’s malfeasance. 

Upon being extended an invitation home, the honorary soldier Uriah refuses to leave the front lines. He doesn’t feel right coming home to be with his family, while his brothers in arms face the enemy in a far off land. Uriah has given David no choice. King David instructs one of his generals to make sure Uriah dies in war. David thinks the problem needing to be solved is Uriah, when the real problem is David.  

Uriah dies in battle and is mourned by his wife Bathsheba. After some time, King David invites Bathsheba to the palace. He gives her an offer she can’t refuse (literally - He’s the King) and eventually there’s a new royal family. New husband and wife, David & Bathsheba with “a bun in the oven.” What a beautiful image of a family. What a pathetic excuse for a King. An adulterer. A murderer.

Soon after, a prophet named Nathan confronts David about the whole thing. David comes clean and takes the full blame for his wrong doing. He confesses his sin to God, and admits he was wrong. After fully experiencing the grace of God, he found a new way of living. Eventually he became a writer. He authored Psalms that exemplify the human condition and the depravity of man. He is known in history as “A man after God’s own heart” Despite his range of performance, he is forever regarded as a man who pursued God. That’s the beauty of redemptive Grace. One moment in life does not have to define your entire story.

His life and his experience can teach all leaders a few fundamentals on integrity. Below are four fundamentals of integrity from the life of King David.

1. Integrity means developing emotional courage.

A leader can become emotionally exhausted with the weight of responsibility, as well as endless decisions and administrative responsibility. This can leave a leader tired, burnt out, and vulnerable to escape mechanisms. A leader must find healthy outlets to replenish emotional, spiritual, and physical health. He or she must foster emotional courage to face all of the challenges and realities of leading. If not cared for, a sense of apathy or numbness may develop in the life of a leader, causing them to minimize wrongdoing or overstate their authority. 

2. Be where you need to be when you need to be there.

This entire debacle could have been avoided. As is the case for any “blow-up” in a leader’s life. This didn’t just start on the rooftop for King David but many months before. Had King David just fulfilled his responsibility as King and went out with his soldiers he would not have been in a position to wreck his own leadership. When it’s time to go to war...go to war. When it’s time to go to work… go to work. When it’s time to go to bed with your own family...go to bed with your own family. Do what you’re supposed to be doing, when you’re supposed to be doing it. A leader with integrity will not allow boredom and passivity to lure themselves into situations that will compromise their greater purpose. A mature leader stays on the path, even when they don’t feel like it.

3. Nothing done in secret is really a secret.

King David may have felt like he fooled an entire nation with his scheming and planning. The reality is he fooled no one. Surely the generals who executed his plan put it all together and lost a bit of respect for him. On top of that, David knew. In the back of his mind and conscious as a leader he knew what he had done and undoubtedly it affected the way he led moving forward. Most importantly of all, God knew the situation. Not in a “Santa Clause - You better watch out!” way, but in a real and honest fashion. The Lord knows our hearts, he knows our desires and our shortcomings. We may feel like we are hiding the cover up. But the only person we are fooling is ourselves.

4. Your reign will end; your integrity will live forever.

Chasing positional authority or notoriety will never justify dishonest conduct. There is no role satisfying enough to sacrifice your integrity. Becoming the CEO, the Regional Manager, the Power-5 Division I coach, or the rising star, will never quench the thirst. Running with the big shots will never be worth forfeiting your character. King David led as King for 40 years (1010-970 B.C.E.) His reign as King was only 40 years long. Our reign at the top of our field will always come to an end. You will, however, always have loved ones to look in the eyes. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul in the process? (Mark 8:36).

Stay The Course,

JB