Every competent leader knows the importance of building a team. Read 1 Chronicles 11:10-23.

The Bible offers an impressive list of military leaders connected to David, calling them his “mighty men” and describing several of their incredible exploits. David’s mighty men formed a loyal, committed and capable team who supported, encouraged and protected David in the years before and after he was anointed king of Israel. Read more »

Burt Nanus wrote in Visionary Leadership, “Vision is central to leadership. It is the indispensable tool without which leadership is doomed to failure.” Read 2 Kings 6:8-17.

The king of Aram had pursued Elisha into Dothan, surrounding him with an army large enough to frighten Elisha’s servant. Elisha simply prayed that God would show the servant the true situation. Perspective separates leaders from followers more than any other characteristic. Leaders have to see things others don’t. Their vision must transcend the “what’s now” and enter into the “what’s next.” Seeing what’s next is part of what sets a person apart as a leader. A visionary leader can rise above the tyranny of the urgent and accomplish or focus on the really important. Read more »

Our society tends to prop up one kind of leader as the prototype we should all model our lives after. Business, and even ministries, have determined that certain personality styles are significantly more effective and look for individuals with those traits when hiring and promoting. Some personality styles may give the illusion of effectiveness but if we revert to the definition of leadership as the “ability to influence others,” individuals with each of the personality styles i.e. dominate, steady, influencing and compliant can serve as extremely effective leaders. Read 2 Kings 4:1-44.

Elisha’s name sounds a lot like his mentor Elijah. Both prophets lived during the same time period in Israel’s history and both struggled against the idolatrous Baal cult. Both Elijah and Elisha were appointed to their leadership position by God, both had great influence and both are viewed by history as significant and very influential leaders in Israel. But Elijah and Elisha were very different in how they carried out their leadership duties. Read more »

Leaders who selfishly pursue their own interests above those of God and others become unfaithful stewards whose influence debase rather than edify. A few select passages from 2 Kings that bring this point home are: 3:1-3; 8:16-27; 12:1-8; 13:1-6.

The second book of the kings of Israel and Judah describes the final days of the divided kingdom before both halves fall into captivity. As much as anything, this book is the story of failed leadership. Although there were some examples of earthly success, there were very few leaders that showed godly character, competence and compassion and the people they led reflected the deficiencies of the leaders. Read more »

Effective leadership flows from commitment to the right things. As followers of Christ, the single most important commitment of our lives is to God. Any true (and eternal) success we experience as leaders will flow from that commitment. Read 1 Kings 15:9-24.

During the reigns of Kings David and Solomon the nation of Israel was united. The 12 tribes that descended from one of Israel’s great leaders, Jacob, united as one people very similar to the United States. Each tribe retained governing leaders for their “state” but united under one central leader. After the death of Solomon the nation split into two groups, the 10 northern tribes united in a nation called Israel and the 2 southern tribes in a nation called Judah. Each nation had separate kings starting with Solomon’s son Rehoboam over Judah and Jeroboam over Israel. Read more »