Leadership Transition - 1 Kings 14-16

Not everyone can handle leadership. Everyone wants to be the leader but not everyone can lead in the right way. In 1 Kings we have lesson after lesson about good and bad leadership. I have made a habit in my Bible to place in the margins with red ink the type of king that is being talked about in these sections of God's Word. I write in the sides of the stories either "good" or "evil." As I read each leader I realize that even the "good" kings weren't ultimately "good." They still sin and are still short of the glory of God (Romans 3). But, I also realize that when it comes to leadership some people lead others in the right direction and other leaders tend to lead in a wrong direction. Forsaking God becomes the definition of the bad leader or the 'evil" leader. The kings listed in these chapters who are good Kings do well in transition of power and leadership as they follow the commandments and will of God. Those who forsake those commandments and want their own desires meet will be evil leaders. The transition for one leader to the next is not based upon anything other than each persons willingness to follow God or not follow God. Good leaders follow God. Poor leaders follow their own wills. If you must follow a leader make sure you know who they are following. If they are following hard after God things will go well for you. If they are following hard after their own desires than things will go bad for you. That is simple leadership-followership thought but that is the basis of a good transition and a bad transition. If you are following a follower of self you will be in the wrong place eventually. Don't follow self leaders. Follow leaders of who follow God.