Without question, King David and his son, Solomon, were the two greatest kings of the Israelites. In fact, they may set the gold standard for any ruler or for any leader. Yes, they both had some moral issues, which we can’t excuse, but their leadership holds many lessons for us as leaders.

Often, we speak about how effective leadership is built upon a strong combination of both character and competency. This passage from Psalm 78 describes how God chose David and how David’s leadership demonstrated just such a combination of both character and competency:

“He chose David his servant

and took him from the sheepfolds;

from following the nursing ewes he brought him

to shepherd Jacob his people,

Israel his inheritance.

With upright heart he shepherded them

and guided them with his skillful hand.”

(The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 78:70–72). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.)

Here we see that David led Israel with an upright heart and with skillful hands. An upright heart could rightly be understood as strong and positive character. Character can be thought of as who David was at his core. He cared deeply about those that he led. We see in other passages how David put the wellbeing and the development of his people ahead of his own personal needs and wants. He demonstrated the character traits that we see in effective leaders: humility, love for those he led, authenticity, vulnerability, and a passion for their growth and wellbeing.

But his character alone, while extremely important, was not enough to lead well. He also needed a skillful hand, which can be understood as the competencies necessary to accomplish what God had set out for him to do. He was both a strategist and a tactician in battle. He was able to rally, organize, and unite the people that he led. He designed and planned well and he communicated as we only wish we could.

Leadership is built upon a relationship of mutual respect and trust. Character and competence are necessary to develop this respect and trust between leaders and their followers. The proper character might lead to respect, but without competence, people will have a difficult time in trusting that we are capable of taking them where they need to go. On the other hand, the most competent leader will not be respected without the necessary character.

Do you have both the character and the competence of an effective leader? What are you doing to further develop in character and competence?