Accountability is always in a leaders own best interest regardless of the degree of inconvenience it may entail. Read 2 Kings 12:1-3 and 2 Chronicles 24:15-25.

As a one-year-old, Joash, a prince in Judah was rescued during an assassination attempt. He was smuggled into the temple and raised and taught by the priest Jehoiada for six years and then brought to the throne as Judah’s king through a daring plan devised and carried out by Jehoiada. Joash never forgot the kindness of the priest and allowed Jehoiada to hold him accountable as long as Jehoiada lived. According to 2 Kings 12:2, “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”

Often leaders are isolated. Being too alone, too isolated, has a world of pitfalls for a leader. As we leave 1 Kings, it will benefit any leader to take one more look at the importance of developing interpersonal relationships. Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

This passage marks a permanent transition in the lives of two men. When Elijah approached Elisha they both knew that their lives would never again be the same. Elijah became a mentor and Elisha his disciple. The relationship continued to grow until Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. After years of walking together, Elisha witnessed his master’s glorious departure, took up Elijah’s cloak, and inherited a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:1-15).

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.