The qualities of a good leader: Samuel’s example

Samuel was by no means a perfect man. But he did exhibit many of the qualities of a good Christian leader, and it shows in this chapter. How was he a good leader?

1. He was honest.

He said to the people,

Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed.

Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes?

If I have done any of these, I will make it right.” (1 Samuel 12:3)

But all the people affirmed that Samuel had been honest with them during his time as judge.

In America, the words “honest politician” are often scoffed at. It seems impossible to us that a leader would be truly honest. But Samuel was just that.

2. He wasn’t afraid to confront the people when they were wrong.

And he did just that as he explained to them that God should have been their king, but in their desire to be like the other nations, they had in actuality rejected God as their true leader.

A good leader doesn’t sugarcoat the truth. True leaders tell it like it is. And that’s what Samuel did.

3. He encouraged and admonished the people to follow God and do what was right.

He said,

Do not be afraid…You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. (1 Samuel 12:20)

In other words, “Yes you messed up. You sinned. But God hasn’t given up on you. He still loves you. So don’t give up following after him. Keep serving him.”

And that’s what a Christian leader should do. They should confront sin in people’s lives.

But when they repent, the leaders should encourage them to move forward. To not keep looking back on their mistakes, but rather focus on the future.

4. Good leaders pray for the people they lead. Samuel said,

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. (23)

It’s interesting to me that Samuel considered it sin not to pray for the people.

So often, we think of sin as doing bad things. But sin is also not doing what we are supposed to do. And good leaders pray for the people they lead.

5. Good leaders teach their people God’s word.

Samuel said,

And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (23)

A good leader knows God’s word well, and is able to teach it to the people they lead.

How about you?  Who are you leading?

It may be people in your church. It may be your family. Your wife. Your children. It may be people in your workplace. Whoever you lead, these are the things God asks of you.

Are you a good leader?