Biblical Leadership

"When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’"

1 Kings 2:1-4

In 1 Kings 2:1-4, King David is officially passing the mantle to his son Solomon. On David’s deathbed, he instructs his son to “Be strong, and show yourself a man,” (v2). How does one show himself to be a man? This question is extremely relevant in our time. God, the creator of man, provides the answer to this question in verse three, “keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses,”. What does godly manhood look like? Simple obedience to God’s Word. As Tony Merida says in his commentary on 1 Kings, “The Word makes the man”. 

What does godly manhood look like? Simple obedience to God’s Word.

If Solomon is to rule in a different and consecrated way, then he must lead with God’s Word at the helm. That means that everything a man does must be processed through the filter of God’s Word. What does God’s Word say about a matter? How do my treasures match up with the Word of God? What does God’s Word say about what society is telling me? There are a plethora of books concerning good leadership. If one is not careful, one can fall into a trap of rejecting God’s Word and accepting manhood and leadership according to the world. King David instructs his son to stay faithful to God’s Word. He essentially says to Him, “let the Word be your guide and compass”. But not only that, King David instructs Solomon to trust God to be the leader, King, and CEO of His life. That is the great misconception about leadership in our time. The world tells us that if you muster up enough skills, education, and confidence, you will be a great leader! It’s not true! Don’t believe the lie! God says to us in His Word that He is the one who holds our days. He is the one who sets kings up and takes them off the throne ( Dan. 2:21). God has all power, and He is all-wise. God is the leader. The job of every Christian in a position of leadership is to trust in the leadership of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. That’s biblical leadership. 

The job of every Christian in position of leadership, is to trust in the leadership of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. That’s biblical leadership.

What’s the result of this kind of leadership? “You may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’” (Vv3-4) God will bless those who trust in the leadership of His Word. This doesn’t mean that we will not suffer hardship, but it does mean that God will care for our every need. If we build our lives upon Christ and His Word, the Lord will rule and reign over our lives with goodness, mercy, and love, and in turn, He will uphold hold us with integrity and honor before the throne and before men. 

Arthur Gonçalves | Teaching Elder