An effective leader has a wide range of skills. Yesterday we looked at a leader’s ability to adjust to a situation at an instant’s notice. Today, we look again at King David as a leader, but today we look at his skill as a long-range planner. Read 1 Chronicles 22:1-19.

David had asked God for the privilege of building the temple in Jerusalem that would house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as a place to represent God’s presence on earth. God said it would not be David’s assignment to build the temple, but his son Solomon would build the temple. David could have been hurt or felt rejected by God’s decision but he accepted this information and considered it part of his leadership assignment to prepare a way for his inexperienced son to be successful. Read more »

Effective leaders think strategically. Read 2 Kings 3:9-27.

In the Maxwell Leadership Bible, John Maxwell discusses strategic thinking.

The kings of Judah, Israel, and Edom ally themselves to fight Moab. But in the middle of the desert they make a horrifying discovery: They have run out of water!! Panic strikes until they remember Elisha and his connection to the God of miracles. Read more »

Leadership takes on many forms as an organization grows or downsizes, as its climate and environment change. What remains constant is the moral base required of the leadership. Read 1 Kings 1:1-9.

Maybe you have experienced what Solomon experienced stepping into his leadership role. He was about to assume leadership after the greatest leader in Israel’s history. The expectation of the people concerning performance of their leaders was high. David had set the standard for their expectations over the last 40 years so an entire generation knew Israel as a great nation with leaders revered by all the nations around them. The inner circle of leaders that had received orders from the great King David would now be receiving orders from an 18-year-old and those first decisions would become a first impression that had the potential to form an opinion of Solomon’s abilities that would last throughout his reign. The neighboring nations were sure that no nation could find another leader with David’s skill so they were hoping for a lesser man. Sounds like a no win situation for Solomon. Read more »

Leaders who fail to plan for their departure invite trouble on their team. Read 2 Samuel 2:4-11.

Saul could have been a hero if he had cooperated with God in preparing David to succeed him. Instead, Saul’s death led to all kinds of turmoil over who would be the next king. Despite Saul’s knowledge that God, through the prophet Samuel, had anointed David to be the next king, he viewed David as someone attempting to seize power. Saul’s decision not to aid his nation in finding their next leader after his departure caused the people of Israel several years of confusion after Saul’s death. Read more »

Healthy alliances are critical if a leader is to achieve their potential. When a leader works harder they only “add” to their output, when a leader works through healthy alliances they “multiply” their output. Read 1 Samuel 30:26-30.

By distributing part of the plunder to the elders in various parts of Israel, David wisely promoted goodwill with potential allies. He understood the importance of planning for the future and building relationships based upon trust and mutual benefit that would serve him well in the years ahead. Leaders who look for strong alliances (relationships) can build a store of relational resources that can be of immeasurable value in times of change or crisis. Given the choice, few leaders would opt for isolation. Read more »