OT Leadership Principles - 1 Kings-Proverbs

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO C. PAUL KING

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE COURSE CLED 510

LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

BY

ELKE SPELIOPOULOS

DOWNINGTOWN, PA

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011

CONTENTS

1 Kings.............................................................................................................................................1

2 Kings.............................................................................................................................................2

1 Chronicles.....................................................................................................................................3

2 Chronicles.....................................................................................................................................4

Ezra..................................................................................................................................................5

Nehemiah.........................................................................................................................................6

Esther...............................................................................................................................................8

Job..................................................................................................................................................10

Psalms............................................................................................................................................11

Proverbs.........................................................................................................................................12

Bibliography..................................................................................................................................13

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1

1 Kings

Principle: A great leader engages and challenges those he seeks to have follow him through

reputation and personality.

Key Verse: 1 Kings 18:21 (ESV): “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How

long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if

Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.”

Explanation/Illustration of the Principle

When Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, he did not do this in a vacuum. Rather, he

leveraged his existing reputation and added a clear touch of his personality, which is very evident

when reading this episode. One commentary puts this as “Elijah exposed their folly and

imposture with the severest irony.”1 As such, he showcases a skill a good leader needs, which is

putting an authentic presence forward in order to motivate the people he or she wants to see

follow the cause. This authenticity can and should include a leader’s personality.

In the case of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, the irony is directed at the opponents, i.e.

the false prophets. Elijah is sure of the outcome and uses this technique to get the people to

ultimately side with the God of Israel (and him). As leaders it is critical to set the stage for those

who are still deciding whether they want to follow by giving them both facts and a charismatic

leader to look to.

1 Robert Jamieson et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, vol. 2 of Ch 31 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems,, 1997), 20.

2

2 Kings

Principle: A good leader is willing to listen to correction and adjust course

Key Verse: 2 Kings 22:11 (ESV): “When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he

tore his clothes.”


It seems at first glance that King Josiah, whose grandfather was King Manasseh, the

wicked son of a godly king of Judah, King Hezekiah, and whose father was King Amon, another

wicked ruler who was conspired against and killed, would be an automatic write-off to the evil

that had reigned within his family for two generations now. Yet even though Josiah had limited

direction from his father and grandfather on what a righteous ruler looks like, he did “what was

right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn

aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Kings 22:2, ESV). When the Book of the Law was discovered

during Temple repairs, Hilkiah the high priest and Shaphan the secretary set out to make it

available to Josiah.

In an act of what it means to be a good leader, Josiah readily accepted the correction of

the Word of God and in turn steered his people in the right direction. The learning gleaned from

the book was not entirely new: “To Josiah the book was evidently, as to Hilkiah, in some sort a

discovery. It was not, however, a wholly new thing; rather, he accepted it as the recovery of a

thing that was known to have been lost, and was now happily found. And in accepting it he

regarded it as authoritative. It was not to him ‘a book of Law.’ (Ewald), but ‘the book of the

Law.’”0

0 The Pulpit Commentary: 2 Kings, ed. H. D. M. Spence-Jones (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems,, 2004), 437.

3

1 Chronicles

Principle: A good leader treasures integrity in all his and his team’s dealings.

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:17 (ESV): “I know, my God, that you test the heart and have

pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and

now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.”


David prayed in the assembly and blessed the Lord. Through this, he recognized God’s

sovereignty, but he also taught his subjects about the absolute integrity in his dealings and how

he saw this character trait in his people as well, expressed in their offering up what they had with

great joy. As one commentary states, “Knowing that God examines the heart (Jer 11:20; 17:10;

20:12) and is pleased with uprightness (1 Kgs 9:4), David had given all his offerings willingly

and with honest intent and had joyfully watched God’s people contribute willingly to him.”0

As leaders, integrity is critical to allow those who are being led to trust in their leader.

Without integrity, there will always be questions as to the sincerity of statements and even

actions. Transparency and integrity allows others to trust sufficiently to follow someone else, as

they know they will not be willfully led astray.

In David’s case, this integrity was expressed in his giving and that of the people who

trusted him. They did not need further evidence that they were doing the right thing. David was

following the Lord and was very explicit about it. They had all they needed to make a decision.

0 J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, electronic ed. , Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001), 197.

4

2 Chronicles

Principle: A good leader uses both the skills and abilities that God has given him and

remembers who gave them.

Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 31:21 (ESV): “And every work that he undertook in the service of the

house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did

with all his heart, and prospered.”


While King Hezekiah certainly could have been proud of his achievements, he did not

neglect to remember Who gave him the leadership skills and abilities he possessed. A good

leader will do likewise and not take credit for natural talents and abilities or spiritual gifts, but

rather will point back to the Giver and will seek His guidance and counsel on how to deploy

them for the glory of the Kingdom. One commentary writes, that he “displayed the qualities of a

constitutional king, in restoring and upholding the ancient institutions of the kingdom; while his

zealous and persevering efforts to promote the cause of true religion and the best interests of his

subjects entitled him to be ranked with the most illustrious of his predecessors.”0

In Hezekiah’s case, he later did indeed become boastful of his achievements, but

humbled himself and repented. While this was important and God relented from punishing him,

Scripture tells us that “God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in

his heart.” (2 Chronicles 32:31) Hezekiah’s life story is a great lesson that leaders need to stay

closely aligned with God. If there is “radio silence”, it is good to apply the Psalm 139:23 test:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (ESV)

0 Jamieson et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, 20.

5

Ezra

Principle: A good leader will select capable people for leadership roles and train them well.

Key Verse: Ezra 7:25 (ESV): “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in

your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond

the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall

teach.”


Ezra was given the task by King Artaxerxes to set up a governing structure for the

province Beyond the River to drive forward the rebuilding of Jerusalem. In the command from

King Artaxerxes, several aspects become visible. First, Ezra already had the wisdom needed for

the leadership task at hand, given to him by God Himself. Second, Ezra was to make a judgment

call on who the capable people were. Third and last, if there were capable ones in the group who

did not know the laws of God, Ezra was to train them once they had been selected.

King Artaxerxes was not a follower of the God of Israel. Christian leaders may find

themselves in positions with supervisors that are not believers, and as such it is crucial to

recognize and internalize what one commentary points out, “Christians who are in positions of

responsibility in public and political life can find themselves under acute pressure as they seek to

apply the principles of the gospel. So often, in the rough and tumble of public life, conscience

clashes with expediency, and conviction is challenged by compromise, and those caught up in it

need the prayers of fellow-believers.”0 Christian leaders need to prayerfully select the right

people for the right tasks and train them if the need is there.

0 Peter Williams, Opening Up Ezra (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2006), 84.

6

Nehemiah

Principle: Good leaders know when the time has come to celebrate a job well done.

Key Verse: Nehemiah 12:27 (ESV): “And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought

the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with

gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.”


Nehemiah and Ezra realized how much work had been done. It was time for a party to

celebrate the accomplishments. The leaders of the Levites sought out every Levite to come back

to Jerusalem and join the celebration. In this is an important lesson for leaders: accomplishments,

even if they are “only” major milestones need to be appropriately celebrated to show that the

leadership values the contribution of every participant. All of the Levites were sought out – even

those who have since moved somewhere else. One commentary points out that “it is clear that

some of the Levites had settled in the rural areas and were farming.”0

Just like here all Levites were approached to come and join the celebration, leaders have

to be careful not to accidentally overlook contributors. These could easily sabotage another

project or milestone, even if this sabotage only comes in the form of unenthusiastic work. The

celebration that is described in verse 43 of the same chapter is indeed joyful: “And they offered

great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women

and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” (ESV) Likewise, the

celebration of an achievement should be one that allows participants to relax and enjoy their

achievement. As such, leaders need to be careful to not “Monday morning quarterback”

0 F. Charles Fensham, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1982), 255.

7

problems that were there during the project (and have since been resolved), but rather look at

what was accomplished and highlight that the team effort was what ultimately got the work done.

8

Esther

Principle: A good leader will understand that they are not irreplaceable, but also that God has

placed them in a leadership role with a goal in mind.

Key Verses: Esther 4:14 (ESV): “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will

rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who

knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’”


Queen Esther found herself in the precarious situation that only an action that might mean

her death might also mean the saving of her people, the Jews under King Ahasuerus’ rule. While

she was reluctant to take on this task, her uncle Mordecai “is trying to encourage Esther by

suggesting that perhaps her becoming queen was part of a larger plan of God in order that she

could have position and influence to save her people.”0

Likewise, Christian leaders have to see their place in leadership as one that involved

God’s doing. Acts 17:26 states that “he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on

all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling

place.” (ESV) Even so, examples can be found in Scripture where fear won out in leaders (Barak

is one example), and others had to encourage these leaders on. Without a doubt, God could have

accomplished these tasks without these individual protagonists, yet in His divine provision,

encouragers were there to drive the fearful ones on.

As Christian leaders engage in their work, it is important that they not develop too high a

view of themselves, but rather that God is the One who ultimately places people in roles of

responsibility. This is also comforting, as God will also provide the ability to do the task at hand.

0 Roger L. Omanson and Philip A. Noss, A Handbook on the Book of Esther: The Hebrew and Greek Texts, UBS handbook series; Helps for translators (New York: United Bible Societies, 1997), 131.

10

Job

Principle: A good leader turns to God for wisdom in his dealings.

Key Verse: Job 28:28 (ESV): “And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

and to turn away from evil is understanding.'”


God Himself gives this advice to humans, according to Job. Throughout Scripture, it is

clear that true wisdom can never be gained from the world, but only comes from God. Many of

the day-to-day decisions that need to be made are made without thinking much about God, yet a

Christian leader is deeply committed to laying his life and work before God on a regular basis

and seeking His guidance.

Proverbs 16:3 advises, “Commit your work to the LORD and your plans will be

established.” (ESV) Without this divine guidance in the daily work, decisions are made

according to the wisdom of the world, which may or may not overlap with God’s design and

plan. Proverbs 3:5-6, probably one of the best loved passages of Scripture, says, “Trust in the

LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways

acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

Along those lines, Hartley writes,

A person bows in contrition, committing himself to follow God’s way. As he acknowledges his own limitations and God’s greatness, he enters into communion with God. Desirous of God’s favor he wills to shun all evil. This twofold attitude enables a person to grow in wisdom. That is, a human being increases in wisdom primarily by obedience to God, not by investigation into the unknown.0

Christian leaders do well to have the Proverbs 3:5-6 verse on their desk and in their

hearts.

0 John E. Hartley, The Book of Job, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988), 383.

11

Psalms

Principle: A good leader guards his speech.

Key Verse: Psalm 141:3 (ESV): “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the

door of my lips!”


Leadership is not a place for gossip or slander. For believers, it should never be the right

course of action, but for leaders, this is doubly critical. Likewise, a leader’s words can destroy, or

they can inspire. Communication is an essential element of a good leader, so learning when to

speak and what to speak, but also in which body language the spoken word is conveyed are

exceedingly important.

Likewise, companies as well as churches and para-church organizations have times when

communication has to be restricted in order to allow a vision to be cast and an underlying plan to

be developed. It is in those times that a leader truly shines when he or she manages to keep

communication lines open to those who are involved, but manages to keep the information flow

to the outside of the steering team under control in order not to cause confusion or concern.

Augustine said it well, when he stated, “He said not a barrier of restraint, but ‘a door of

restraint.’ A door is opened as well as shut. If then it be a ‘door,’ let it be both opened and shut;

opened, to confession of sin; closed, to excusing sin. So will it be a ‘door of restraint,’ not of

ruin.”0 Christian leaders should be quick to apologize or correct, but should be slow to use the

spoken word as a tool to intimidate or control their subordinates.

0 Philip Schaff, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Vol. VIII (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997), 645.

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Proverbs

Principle: A good leader is not afraid to address personnel to team issues.

Key Verse: Proverbs 28:23 (ESV): “Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than

he who flatters with his tongue.”


Addressing personnel issues is by far one of the hardest elements of leadership. It is far

easier to let issues within the team slide than to address them head on. Christian leaders may find

themselves in ugly personnel situations that can be quite distracting and disruptive to the team. It

is imperative that issues are addressed early, however, before they cause a significantly higher

level of disruption to the team’s execution.

While leaders come in more assertive and less assertive leadership styles, personnel

management, and in particular, the addressing of issues within the team is a learnable skill.

While a leader may never completely feel comfortable addressing problematic topics or even

having to let a team member go, it is of utmost importance to the team’s long term success and

well-being to tackle issues early.

Waltke adds to this discussion that “the proverb leaves open with whom favor is found.

To judge from Prov. 3:4 the favor is from both the LORD and people, probably including the

reproved. Verses. 19–27 imply the LORD’s involvement in effecting the consequences.... He

may or may not find favor with the one he tries to correct.”0 As such, the primary concern for a

Christian leader may not be the liking or disliking of the talked-to person of what is being

addressed. Rather, a leader should prayerfully leave the outcome of this discussion to God (and a

capable HR team, if necessary).

0 Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs. Chapters 15-31, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2005), 425-26.

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Bibliography

Fensham, F. Charles. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1982.

Hartley, John E. The Book of Job. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988.

Jamieson, Robert et al. A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. Vol. 2 of Ch 31. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems,, 1997.

Omanson, Roger L., and Philip A. Noss. A Handbook on the Book of Esther: The Hebrew and Greek Texts. UBS handbook series; Helps for translators. New York: United Bible Societies, 1997.

The Pulpit Commentary: 2 Kings. Edited by H. D. M. Spence-Jones. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems,, 2004.

Schaff, Philip. The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Vol. VIII. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997.

Thompson, J. A. 1, 2 Chronicles. Electronic ed. , Logos Library System; The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001.

Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs. Chapters 15-31. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2005.

Williams, Peter. Opening Up Ezra. Leominster: Day One Publications, 2006.

OT Leadership Principles - 1 Kings-Proverbs

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