Leaders who selfishly pursue their own interests above those of God and others become unfaithful stewards whose influence debase rather than edify. A few select passages from 2 Kings that bring this point home are: 3:1-3; 8:16-27; 12:1-8; 13:1-6.

The second book of the kings of Israel and Judah describes the final days of the divided kingdom before both halves fall into captivity. As much as anything, this book is the story of failed leadership. Although there were some examples of earthly success, there were very few leaders that showed godly character, competence and compassion and the people they led reflected the deficiencies of the leaders.

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).

A fact that we all know but never really want to speak out loud is that sometimes selfish, angry, bullies become leaders in positions of authority. Read 1 Kings 19:1-2 and 1 Kings 21.

King Ahab of Israel married Jezebel, daughter of the King of Tyre. To put it mildly, Jezebel was not the kind of woman one would feel comfortable taking home to meet mother. This wicked queen was a power-hungry, abusive, scary woman. To get the complete picture of this leader read 1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9 but the assigned passages will give a quick overview.

The Bible is all about relationships. God is a personal being who has paid a great price to make it possible for us to enter a relationship with Him through the merits of Jesus Christ. He wants this relationship, in turn, to be made visible in our relationships with others. The leader that ultimately wins in this lifetime isn’t the one with the most toys but the leader with the best relationships. Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

This passage marks a permanent transition in the lives of two men. When Elijah approached Elisha and threw his cloak around this young man, they both knew that their lives would change forever. Elijah had become a mentor and Elisha his disciple, and this relationship continued to grow until Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind three years later (see 2 Kings 2:1-15).

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.