What can we learn about leadership from the king's response in 2 Kings 6:26? Setting the Scene • Samaria is under Aramean siege (2 Kings 6:24–25); starvation is severe. • King Jehoram walks the city wall to inspect defenses and morale. Key Verse “ As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, ‘Help me, my lord the king!’ ” (2 Kings 6:26) • Compare his immediate reply: “ If the LORD does not help you, where can I get help for you? ” (v. 27). What We Notice in the King’s Response • He is physically present among his people—leadership visibility. • He allows a common citizen to address him—accessibility. • He instantly recognizes his own limits—humility or helplessness? • He points to the LORD as the ultimate source—acknowledgment of divine sovereignty. • Yet his tone hints at despair, not faith—potential abdication of responsibility. Leadership Principles to Embrace 1. Proximity matters – Leaders who “walk the wall” see reality firsthand (cf. Nehemiah 2:13–15). 2. Listen to the cries – Genuine leadership hears suffering without filters (Proverbs 29:7). 3. Admit human limitation – Healthy leaders confess, “Apart from Him we can do nothing” (John 15:5). 4. Direct people to God – Point followers to the true Deliverer (Psalm 121:1–2). 5. Maintain hope while confessing need – David blended honesty and confidence (Psalm 13:1, 5); Jehoram lacked the second half. Pitfalls Highlighted • Blaming circumstances instead of seeking God’s strategy (contrast 2 Chronicles 20:3–12). • Using theology as a pretext for inaction—“If the LORD won’t, neither can I.” • Allowing despair to shape tone and decision-making (Proverbs 24:10). Supporting Passages • Moses interceding in crisis: Exodus 17:11–13. • Hezekiah laying Assyrian threats before the LORD: 2 Kings 19:14–19. • Jesus among the needy, moved with compassion: Mark 6:34. Summary of Leadership Lessons • Be present, be approachable, be honest about limits. • Anchor hope in God, then act courageously under His guidance. • Despairing passivity undercuts true leadership; faith-filled dependence empowers it. |
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