Lead fiercely.

"They answered him, 'If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.'"

(1 Kings 12:7)

Third time's are... not necessarily a charm. King David was arguably Israel's greatest king. His son, Solomon, was a decent king - know for his wisdom (and wives: 700 to be exact! And 300 concubines!). He was also the "construction king," who built the Temple in Jerusalem and the Royal Palace (with his 700 wives, guess which building was larger?!?). But the 3rd King in this family lineage, Rehoboam (Solomon's son), wasn't nearly as charming.

The Northern tribes of Israel faced the brunt of the world when Solomon was building. So they sent a delegation to talk to the new king, when Rehoboam took over as monarch. They wanted to know what Rehoboam's leadership style would be... similar to his father? Or more like his grandfather?

Rehoboam consulted two groups of people: older men who used to advise his father, and younger men of his own age (& peers). The older (wiser?) men suggested he seek to work with the Northerners. To "speak good words" to them and be a servant leader. THEN they'll give you their loyalty forever, they said. The younger men had different advice. No mercy! No weakness! Tell the Northerners, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" (With a crude euphemism involving male genitalia thrown in for good measure!)

Unfortunately, Rehoboam chose the advice of his peers... and he lost the Northern tribes. From that moment on the nation split in two: the North (Israel) and the South (Judah). All because Rehoboam went for the POWER PLAY style of leadership. Show the people who's the boss. No mercy. Bend the knee or it will be broken. Fire & fury!

Hundreds of years later, another descendant of King David would walk this earth. When faced with his choice of leadership styles, JESUS chose servanthood. In the end, it got him killed. But along the way, he changed the world. He has become my role model for leadership style. And I pray more leaders will follow in his footsteps.

Speak kindly. Serve others. Lead fiercely.

AMEN.