David and Absalom: Success
In this final reflection on the contrast between the leadership of David and Absalom, we’ll look at how they viewed and measured success. All leaders long for success and either consciously or unknowingly ask themselves, “Am I successful as a leader?” David and Absalom answered that question in very different ways. David sought God for […]
David and Absalom: Relationships
Leadership is all about relationships and the way we relate to those we lead. There is no leadership without relationships. But how relationships are viewed and developed varies greatly. In this reflection on the contrast between David and his son Absalom, we will examine their relationship with their followers. Both David and Absalom had relationships […]
David and Absalom: Sin
Sin is a universal reality for all leaders, but the leaders’ response can be as different as David’s and Absalom’s. David’s most well-known sin is his sexual relationship with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Absalom has a longer list of sins including the murder of his brother, destruction of personal property, rebellion to authority, […]
David and Absalom: Authority
Perhaps the greatest difference between the leadership of David and Absalom was in their view of authority. They responded very differently to those in authority over them, and this led to profound differences in their leadership. Their lives illustrate the different ways servant leaders and subversive* leaders see and respond to authority. How did David […]
David and Absalom: Power
All leaders have power, but not all leaders handle power the same way. David and Absalom demonstrated two very different ways that leaders gain and use power. They saw the power of the kingship in very different ways. David accepted power; Absalom sought power. The difference between how David and Absalom came to power could […]
David and Absalom: Intimacy
David is a servant leader that we admire in many ways. He is known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). And David led well. “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them” (Psalms 78:72).But David’s son Absalom provides a very different picture of leadership. Absalom was […]
Gideon: Sabotaging Potential
We have followed the story of Gideon from the time he was hiding in fear until he led the people to a great victory. It is exciting to watch as Gideon sees his potential, begins to shape it as he grows as a leader and finally how he shares this with others on his team. […]
Gideon: Sharing Potential
God helped Gideon to see his potential and he began to shape it with his first leadership action, demolishing the altar of Baal. But God’s calling for Gideon was to deliver his people from the Midianites. Reaching this goal required Gideon to share his potential with others. So he called men around him to go […]
Gideon: Shaping Potential
In the last issue, we examined how the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and called him a “mighty warrior.” Gideon was just beginning to see his potential to be a leader. But that potential was not yet shaped. Servant leaders can learn how to shape their potential by observing the next steps in […]
Gideon: Seeing Potential
The Book of Judges tells the story of a difficult time in Israel’s history. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 17:6). In this context God raised up a series of leaders to deliver the people from their enemies. When the Midianites oppressed Israel, God called Gideon. […]