Scripture Passage: 2 Samuel 24:1-15
When Leaders Don’t Listen the People Suffer
David gave an instruction that the children of Israel be counted and would not listen to Joab when he tried to talk him out of carrying out this exercise which was against God’s word. The Bible says, “notwithstanding, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the host.” The people were counted as David desired and it led to the outbreak of a plague which claimed the lives of seventy thousand men. People died needless deaths because their leader would not listen to wise counsel but insisted on having his way.
The lesson here is this; when leaders don’t listen the people suffer. Therefore, a leader must be willing to listen to others. Nobody has monopoly of knowledge and we can all learn from one another if we are willing to listen.
Prayer: Father, help me to listen especially when it counts.