Text: 2 Samuel 23:13—17

Topic: How leaders are to relate to their followers

Introduction:

Three men in particular form the core of David's inner circle and are very loyal to him.

People are often very loyal to Christian leaders.

David wished for a drink of water partly because of nostalgia.

Illustration: Robinson remembers with nostalgia the sodas at Schefnickel's in his New York boyhood.

David's three chief men show their loyalty to David.

Illustration: David's three closest soldiers risk their lives to get David water from a well in Bethlehem.

In Hebrew, loyalty taken to the highest pitch of devotion is hessed, and expresses God's love for us.

Illustration: The devotion of Denver Bronco fans in Denver.

Leaders should respond in humble service to people's devotion to them.

Illustration: David feels he doesn't deserve the water his men got for him.

Illustration: Journalist's comment on 60 Minutes about elected politicians: "When a man comes to Washington these days, he comes to his office thinking of it as a prize he has won."

Illustration: Paul and his relationship with the Philippian church.

Our loyalty to our followers should be like God's loyalty to us.

God is loyal to us no matter our sin.

Illustration: David's adultery and murder of Uriah are forgiven by God in his hessed.