2 Samuel 2:1-14
Every Leader faces difficult people and draining circumstances. The following
difficult personality types commonly accost leaders today:
1. The Sherman Tank: rides over people
2. The Space Cadet: lives in another world
3. The Volcano: explosive, unpredictable
4. The Thumb Sucker: self-pity, pouts
5. The Wet Blanket: always down
6. The Garbage Collector: attracts the worst
7. The User: demands lots of time, energy
1. Consider the issue; stand up if important.
2. Find and develop their unique gifts.
3. Remove from crowd, listen, be direct.
4. Don’t reward; expose them to real trouble.
5. Be honest, don’t cater; don’t let them lead.
6. Challenge their statements; force honesty
7. Set boundaries; require accountability.
The Gibeonites became one of David’s difficult people. Answer the following
questions about how David chose to deal with them:
1. Why did God send the famine and the Gibeonites to David (vv.1, 2)?
2. How far should the leader go to satisfy the complaints of a critic (vv. 3, 4)?
3. Did David go too far in trying to appease the Gibeonites or Rizpah (vv. 5-14)?
Pastor Stephen Galvano
Rochester Christian Church Ministries International