As we enter the study of some specific leadership principles tucked away in 2 Chronicles, it is helpful to get an overview of the book. This being the fourth book (1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles) detailing the actions of many of the same individuals, it is helpful for understanding the leadership lessons to know the major theme God is seeking to communicate in the book. John Maxwell in The Maxwell Leadership Bible gives summary notes at the beginning of the book that are very helpful.

Summary

If 2 Chronicles develops one major theme or offers one major lesson, it is this: Leaders need to finish well. Read more »

A leader’s legacy is remembered several ways. There are those on our team and in future generations that will remember our personal weaknesses, others will remember our successes, and still others will keep memories of our civil or religious achievements. As we enter the book of 1 Chronicles to view leadership principles it is important to know that whereas the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1and 2 Kings taught us principles of the personal weaknesses of Israel’s leaders, 1 Chronicles looks at the priestly perspective of David’s reign and stresses that leaders of purpose, vision and integrity leave a lasting legacy. Look through 1 Chronicles 1-9 and search for names you recognize from other Bible accounts.

The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles furnish a genealogy of Israel’s leaders. The genealogies take up almost a third of the book! The amount of space given the lineages of these Jewish leaders in this God-inspired book, the best seller in all human history and the single most important book in a Christian’s life, gives some indication of the value God puts on family, past tradition, and legacy. There are some things we can learn from this record of Jewish leaders: Read more »

Sooner or later every Christian leader comes to the point in life where they are not seeking God’s power and provision but only God’s presence. Read 1 Kings 17-19.

Elijah was one of Israel’s greatest prophets. His amazing story is recorded in 1 Kings 17:1-2 Kings 2:11. From the time we’re introduced to him, we see Elijah as an extremely brave leader. His first recorded words reflect confrontation and condemnation when he delivered God’s message to a godless king. It took courage to bring the message, “There will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except by my word” (1 Kings 17:1), to a king that was trying to build prosperity and security for people living in an agrarian society. Read more »

What about being a leader makes you get out of bed in the morning? What makes you tick? What generates passion and purpose in your leadership life? Few leaders can articulate a clear purpose statement that they are passionate about for their life. It is ironic that some leaders put more time and energy into planning a two-week vacation than thinking about their leadership passion and purpose during this earthly journey. Read 1 Kings 6:1-8.

Solomon had been king of Israel for four years. David, his father and predecessor, had left the kingdom in good shape and David had insured the transition of power was seamless, launching Solomon’s leadership to a high level of momentum from his first day in office. Solomon was probably now only about 22 years old but had established his leadership, selected his team, negotiated treaties with neighboring nations to insure continued peace for the people and won the hearts of his people. Read more »

Godly leaders desire to be effective and give their best to serve God with the gifts they have been given. Effective leaders consistently monitor their conviction and look for signs of leadership deterioration. Review 2 Samuel 15:1-37.

David’s leadership had been blessed by God and Israel had become a world power and served as a shining testimony of their God to all the nations around them. Over time David began to focus more on his personal needs and desires and less on his role as God’s leader. Second Samuel 15 chronicles one of the lowest points in David’s life as a leader of a nation and as a leader in his family. David’s son Absalom became so disillusioned with his father’s leadership that he determined to steal the kingdom and destroy his own father and family. The chapter ends with David fleeing the capitol city and setting up a clandestine network that will infiltrate Absalom’s team to confuse the advice Absalom receives from his advisors and get David insider information. Read more »