When God Voted
God’s selection of leaders in Scripture reveals what God values most in leadership.
There’s no democracy in the Bible. Scripture is silent on whether a Christian must vote, who to vote for, or how to make that decision. Any pastor who offers guidance here is offering a well-meaning guess, drawing from principles rather than prescriptions.
But the Bible does describe the kind of people God chose to lead ancient Israel: He exalted the humble and opposed the proud.
We read about Israel’s first two kings, chosen by God, in 1 and 2 Samuel. Their story opens with a barren woman named Hannah praying fervently for a child. When God answers her prayer and her son Samuel is born, she breaks into song. Her words celebrate a God who exalts the humble and opposes the proud, introducing the central theme of 1 and 2 Samuel.
Samuel became a prophet, a messenger from God to Israel. Through him, God selected Israel’s first two kings: Saul and David.
Saul was chosen first. Reluctant to take the throne, he even hid during his own coronation. But as king, his focus shifted from serving God and His people to enriching himself and expanding his own power. God eventually afflicted and deposed Saul.
Then God chose a shepherd, the youngest in his family, to be Israel’s second leader. David credited God with his victories on the battlefield and was crowned king. But he too stumbled, tripping over pride, entitlement, and self-service. Unlike Saul, when David was confronted he admitted he'd behaved badly. He was humbled, repentant, and remained on the throne.
God chooses the humble to lead His people. God sent the humble to form His people: Jesus, though in very nature God, “made himself nothing,” taking the nature of a servant and humbling himself—even to the cross (Philippians 2:6-11).
The Bible isn’t a voter’s guide. But it does reveal what God values most in a leader: humility.
