President Harry Truman made a famous statement that indicated the buck stopped at his desk. He was ultimately responsible for the decisions of both the military and civilian leaders that surrounded his presidency. Responsibility is the ability to meet obligations; the act of being accountable; a duty of trust. A leader can share responsibility and a wise leader will delegate responsibility and authority for areas assigned to other leaders but the ultimate responsibility for results cannot be given away. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-25.

Jehoshaphat had assumed the responsibilities of king of Judah. He had sent leaders to teach the people from the Book of the Law and had appointed some trusted leaders to administer the law and settle disputes. Just as Jehoshaphat was finishing his reforms to strengthen Judah’s internal governing structure, Judah was threatened by an army made up of a three nation alliance. Reports of this huge army’s activities and advance frightened Jehoshaphat. Read more »

Effective leaders understand the need for the constant restatement of goals and core values. Read 2 Chronicles 17.

King Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king of Judah and reigned in Jerusalem for 25 years. Jehoshaphat desired to be a leader that led a nation that honored the laws and moral code of the one true God not just in his palace but every part of the nation under his rule. In a day when the communication and transportation options were limited it would be difficult to see how a leader would quickly turn around not just people’s observance of an external set of laws but the internal value system they chose to live by. Read more »

When a leader has the wrong decision at the wrong time, it will equal a disaster. When a leader has the wrong decision at the right time, it will equal a mistake. When a leader has the right decision at the wrong time, it will look like an error in judgment. When a leader has the right decision at the right time, it will equal a success. Read 2 Chronicles 13:4-18.

Abijah replaced his father Rehoboam as king of Judah in the eighteenth year of the split kingdom. Jeroboam, king of the northern ten tribes quickly declared war on Judah hoping to exploit the new king and gain the rich southern part of Israel. Read more »

Woodrow Wilson said, “The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.” In fact an effective leader encourages their team to tell them what they need to know, not what they want to hear. Read 2 Chronicles 10:1-15.

After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam was the logical choice to become the next king. The people came together from all 12 tribes and were prepared to crown him king and pledge their loyalty but they had a complaint. The taxes were too high and they needed relief. Rehobaom heard what the people said but he did not actually listen to their complaint. His lack of compassion for the people’s situation, his narrow vision, his self-centered focus and his demanding and impatient style told the people that Rehoboam didn’t really listen or understand but only used the information to fortify his pre-determined position. Read more »

Every decision a leader makes has the potential to establish direction for leadership success or leadership failure. There are times when one bad decision can put a limit on a leader’s future leadership opportunities. Read 2 Chronicles 10:1-19.

King Solomon has successfully ruled Israel for 40 years. Under his leadership Israel had prospered to the point that according to 9:27a, “The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones…” At his death his 41-year-old son Rehoboam assumed leadership. Read more »