Lack of integrity creates a leadership vacuum that’s difficult to overcome. Leaders are only as strong as their personal integrity will allow. We may see examples on the contrary, but in the long term, this stands true for all time.

In 2 Samuel 12:27-28, the commander of the army makes an alarming challenge to David, the king of Israel: “And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, ‘I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city’s water supply. 28 Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name’” (2 Samuel 12:27-28).

What? take the city and name it after yourself when kings only have such rights? Was Joab delusional? No, Joab “earned” the right to speak to the king like this because of the task he was commanded to accomplish.

No king would ever put up with such a response from the commander of his army. For him to say “…lest I take the city and it be called after my name” was unthinkable in those days. Kings were the final authority and could not be challenged in such a manner.

Joab was the one who had to do the “dirty job” of causing the death of one of his loyal soldiers. He did this as a cover-up for the lustful actions of a king without self control. The murder was orchestrated in response to the written command of the king.

But the lack of integrity displayed by the king’s actions caused this unfortunate situation. Although the king, David could not stand up to such a challenge by Joab.

He had given up that right.

There were countless other losses that David incurred in his family and the kingdom as well. He certainly didn’t think of the loss of authority within his kingdom when he allowed his lust to take over.
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