Every leader will serve as an example to those in their sphere of influence. Review 1 Samuel 1-8 and focus on 4:1 and 3:19-20.

Samuel’s influence just kept growing. Samuel, under God’s leadership and with His authority, had the authority to anoint two kings and remove one from power. Samuel’s example to the people was that he exhorted, he affirmed, he corrected, he prophesied, he reminded and he taught. His life-long example had such tremendous impact that when he died all Israel gathered to mourn his loss (25:1).

During my time in the Marine Corp I had a few opportunities to see how one man’s courage could lift the courage of every man in the unit to their level of courage. Read 1 Samuel 7:1-17.

The notes in The Maxwell Leadership Bible discuss Samuel’s Influence: One Person With Courage Makes a Majority:

In virtually every survey ever taken, integrity is consistently identified as the most desired trait of a leader. Every team member wants assurance that their leader can be trusted to follow through on their promises and commitments. Read 1 Samuel 12:1-4.

Israel’s high regard for Samuel comes as no surprise. During his farewell speech, after having led Israel for decades, Samuel promised to repay anything he had unjustly taken from anyone. What a promise! Even more impressive was the people’s response: Not one person rose up to make a claim against Samuel.

Many leaders avoid confrontation at all costs. Effective leaders understand the role and positive benefit of confrontation when properly handled. Read 1 Samuel 10:17-19; 12:12-25; 13:7-15, 15:14-29.

A true spiritual leader obeys God when doing so is difficult. Again and again Samuel encountered stressful situations in which he had to confront and rebuke others for failing to trust and obey the Lord. He managed each of these confrontations with clarity, decisiveness and objectivity.

The Lord grants favor and honor to leaders who seek Him. Read 1 Samuel 2:26 and 3:15–4:1.

John Maxwell states in his book The 360 Degree Leader that “The true measure of leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” Samuel had influence. “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.” When Samuel spoke people listened “…and He (the Lord) let none of his (Samuel’s) words fall to the ground. All Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.” What did Samuel have that other leaders did not have to garner this kind of favor from God?