The Law of Reproduction Part 4

Joshua Fails to Practice-Joshua 24:29

Joshua’s leadership failed at only one major point: He left no “Joshua” to follow him, as he had followed Moses. Joshua did not reproduce his leadership. Consequently, The Book of Judges records a time of anarchy, when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25).

David Raised Up Leaders-1 Chronicles 12:1-38

We can conclude from the list of warriors who joined David in Ziklag that his ragtag team was diverse, loyal, and hungry for victory. So what did David do to reproduce his leadership in them?

1. He was Relational.

Unlike Saul, who lived in fear, David’s personable and approachable manner enticed hundreds of misfit volunteers to serve him. David accepted anyone.

1. He was resourceful.

David made use of every situation and got the best out of it—even in the wilderness. He resourced his team to become all they could be and enabled it to succeed.

1. He was rewarding.

David quickly shared both rewards and recognition for victory. He affirmed his men and motivated them with words of encouragement and spoils from battle.

1. He was respectable.

David modeled a leadership style that others wanted to imitate. Friends and foes alike respected him; people saw in David an example of good leadership.

The chronicler says simple, “All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king” (1 Chr. 12:38). And he concludes, “There was joy in Israel” (1 Chr. 12:40).

Join me next time for The Law of Reproduction Part 5