Godly leaders desire to be effective and give their best to serve God with the gifts they have been given. Effective leaders consistently monitor their conviction and look for signs of leadership deterioration. Review 2 Samuel 15:1-37.

David’s leadership had been blessed by God and Israel had become a world power and served as a shining testimony of their God to all the nations around them. Over time David began to focus more on his personal needs and desires and less on his role as God’s leader. Second Samuel 15 chronicles one of the lowest points in David’s life as a leader of a nation and as a leader in his family. David’s son Absalom became so disillusioned with his father’s leadership that he determined to steal the kingdom and destroy his own father and family. The chapter ends with David fleeing the capitol city and setting up a clandestine network that will infiltrate Absalom’s team to confuse the advice Absalom receives from his advisors and get David insider information.

Leadership is a gift from God. Everyone is a leader to some degree in their home, in a peer group, etc., but a select few are given more influence and given the privilege of serving others in a leadership capacity in their church, work, play, community, or nation. Wise leaders take their leadership responsibility seriously and understand that loyalty will be earned through their consistency over a period of time. Effective leaders understand the “two way” nature of loyalty and serve with consistency while continuing to strengthen the bond of loyalty. When the leader fails in their leadership responsibilities respect can erode and loyalty can be lost. Read 2 Samuel 15:1-37.

Sometime after he returns to Jerusalem following the murder of his brother Amnon, Absalom rises to power and assumes a position of leadership in Israel. In the intervening years he becomes a stronger, more forceful leader than his father, David. He wins the people’s loyalty.

Leaders set the emotional environment for those who follow them and will give their team courage or fear. Read 1 Samuel 31:7.

During a battle between the Israelite army and the Philistine army, King Saul and all of his sons were killed. In one battle the accepted leadership of the nation was gone. Without a trusted leader to give direction, the people were overcome with fear and anxiety. They actually took their families, left their homes and possessions behind, and ran for safety.

Leaders will either develop self-discipline or lose their right to lead. Read Judges 16:1-20.

In The Maxwell Leadership Bible, Maxwell discusses “Self-Discipline, Samson Had It, Then Lost It”:

Discipline does not automatically make someone a leader, but no one can long remain a leader without it. More government leaders have failed from poor discipline than poor policies. More pastors have failed due to bad discipline than bad theology. More business leaders have sabotaged their careers from lack of discipline than by lack of cash flow.