Transitions are never easy. As the baby boom generation is retiring at a faster and faster pace, all sorts of institutions from corporations to congregations are dealing with the challenges of finding new leadership. So, how should yesterday’s leaders respond to those who replace them? And how should new leaders treat their predecessors?

Saul, of course, gives us a negative example. Because of Saul’s refusal to obey God, God had removed His Spirit from Saul and placed Him upon David (16:13-14). But instead of bowing to God’s will, as Jonathan obviously did (18:4), Saul continued to struggle, to insist on his own way. And so instead of rejoicing in David’s obvious gifts and achievements, Saul allowed his fear and envy to consume him, even to the point of attempting murder (18:11).

What about David? He continued to try to help Saul, playing the lyre to soothe his ravings, even though that placed him directly in the line of fire. He accepted the demotion that verse 13 describes, continuing to do his best as a brigade commander even though he had once been second in command of the whole army.

Now, David didn’t have to be so gracious and patient. As Saul gave himself over to envy, David could have become resentful at Saul’s attempts to hang on to power. He could have thrown in the towel, abandoning God’s call on his life in the face of Saul’s relentless pressure. On the other hand, he could have tried to lead a coup and overthrow Saul, seizing for himself the kingdom that God had already promised to him (16:13).

But as David exhibited such grace under fire, he demonstrated that the Spirit of God was truly within him. For isn’t that what Jesus, the Son of David, also did? He deserved to have all the love and all the allegiance of every human being. He deserved to have all the kingdoms of the world bow down to Him. But instead of seizing such absolute power by force, Jesus patiently waited on His Father’s perfect plan for His life. And even though that plan included the painful and shameful death of the cross, Jesus was willing to endure all that because of His love for us.

So, instead of old folks fearing and envying the rising generation, and instead of young folks resenting the power and wealth others have accumulated, maybe we should all take a page out of David’s playbook. Maybe we all need more patience with each other’s weaknesses, more willingness to recognize the gifts God has given to others, more graciousness in the face of our obvious shortcomings. For how else can we walk the way of the cross?

I Samuel 18:1-16 (NASB)

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.
2 And Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.
3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt.
5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
6 And it happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments.
7 And the women sang as they played, and said, “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”
8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”
9 And Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.
10 Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand.
11 And Saul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from his presence twice.
12 Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.
13 Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
14 And David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him.
15 When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him.
16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, and he went out and came in before them.