Samuel a Life of Godly Leadership

What makes a good leader? Headlines highlight the problems in our leadership on every level and side track us from looking for the good and positive. How do we find discern if someone has what it takes to lead a group or organization whether it be civic, social, political or religious?  What qualities and characteristics should we look for and evaluate?  Let us look at the life of  Samuel for a study on the qualities of a good leader.

Samuel was raised by and served at the tabernacle with the priest Eli.  His mother, Hannah, who was barren had prayed for a son and promised to devout him to God’s service and God honored her prayer. After she had weaned him, she fulfilled her vow by bringing Samuel to the priest Eli at the tabernacle in Shiloh (1 Sam 1:22–25).  Even though Eli’s own sons were scandolous Samuel was a faithful servant who had God’s favor.

After the people of Israel had settled in their land and Joshua was long gone they were still  constantly at war and had fallen far from following the law of God. They were goverened by a series of judges and prophets that went before the Lord on their behalf and mediated their disputes. The last and greatest of these was Samuel. The people of Israel now clamored for a king just like all the other nations around them. Samuel stood before the people and gave his final address and challenged them to test his integrity.

1 Samuel 12:2–6 (MSG)    But now look at me: I’m old and gray, and my sons are still here. I’ve led you faithfully from my youth until this very day.  Look at me! Do you have any complaints to bring before GOD and his anointed? Have I ever stolen so much as an ox or a donkey? Have I ever taken advantage of you or exploited you? Have I ever taken a bribe or played fast and loose with the law? Bring your complaint and I’ll make it right.” “Oh no,” they said, “never. You’ve never done any of that—never abused us, never lined your own pockets.” “That settles it then,” said Samuel. “GOD is witness, and his anointed is witness that you find nothing against me—no faults, no complaints.”  And the people said, “He is witness.” 

Samuel was a great leader because he understood leadership as an opportunity to serve people and add quality to their life. He abhorred a leadership that used its power to exploit those led for personal gain or position. For Samuel leadership was a stewardship, a responsibility, an honor. He demonstrated impeccable integrity because his intention was to honor God by serving His people. When he was told to replace Saul as king God spoke to him.

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)   But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

We do tend to look at a person’s outward appearance and their personality but that does not qualify a person for leadership. Integrity is who you are when no one is looking. I had the privelege of hearing Dr. Howard Hendricks teach. He taught preaching and leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary for sixty years. He shared with us what he taught his students. “Always leave a place better than when you found it.” That included picking up paper from the bathroom floor and wiping down the sink.  A very humble act but one that impressed on my heart that no one is above doing any task.

Paul left instructions to the Church in Crete on how to choose good leaders.

Titus 1:6–9 (MSG)  As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?”  It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry, He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself,  and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.

Good leadership sets a solid example and encourages growth and action for the betterment of the group it serves.  These are godly principles for all of us to follow in our daily lives at church.home, neighborhood and work. As we head to the polls this November and next let us look at the canidates’ past record, their lifestyle, service to others and not fancy words and promises.  Pray for wisdom and pray for our leaders.