Every leader will face the choice of being a people-pleaser or a God-pleaser. Read 2 Samuel 6:1-23.

Once David was “national king” of Israel and Jerusalem had been established as the national capitol of Israel, David desired to bring the central uniting object of the Jewish faith, the ark of the Lord, to the capitol city. The Ark of the Covenant was the physical representation of God’s presence and blessing and David desired to directly link God’s presence, rule and blessing to any leader of the nation of Israel.

Romans 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Leaders may need to earn their influence but the authority of a godly leader comes from God. Read 2 Samuel 1.

When David hears that King Saul and his son Jonathan have died in battle, he mourns deeply for his friend Jonathan. But David also weeps for Saul the man who:

Not all leaders have pure motives. Korah was a talented Levite, set apart to serve in Israel’s worship of God. His important position gave him both prestige and respect among the people. Read Numbers 16:1-11.

Korah’s gifted leadership and persuasive speaking abilities earned him the backing of 250 other leaders. Yet his desire for more power and authority led to the demise of his followers and their families. Leaders with rebellious hearts always bring harm into their own life and the life of their followers and families.

How a leader deals with the circumstances of life, both positive and negative, tells many things about their character. Circumstances can’t always make a leader’s character, but they certainly will reveal it. Read Genesis 50:15-21.

Joseph puts his entire life in perspective in the final chapter of Genesis. The single greatest test of Joseph’s character may have come at the height of his power. During a terrible famine, his brothers, desperate for food, humbly bow down before him just as he had predicted decades earlier. At a moment when he could have extracted any measure of revenge, Joseph forgave his brothers.