In America today, we are witnessing the results of four kinds of leadership described long ago in Scripture — each with its own character, consequence, and calling.
The first is what I call “Saul-leadership.”
This kind of leader has power, charisma, and presence — everything that looks right on the outside — but beneath the polish lies fear. The fear of what people think. The fear of losing approval. The fear of standing alone when the crowd turns. This fear always undermines trust, direction, and purpose.
You see this kind of leadership in Washington today — strong in appearance, weak in conviction. Leaders falter not because they lack ability, but because they are more afraid of opinion than of disobedience. Their words shift with the wind; their convictions crumble when tested. All you have to do is look back in history and see how often they’ve flip-flopped. Senator Schumer is a clear example of this kind of leadership — intelligent, influential, but bound by fear of public reaction rather than anchored in principle. This is Saul-leadership: the kind that looks powerful but is ruled by fear instead of truth.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” — Proverbs 29:2
Then there is “Samuel-leadership.”
This is the kind of leadership that does not chase popularity or applause but cares about the spiritual and moral condition of the nation. Samuels speak truth even when power despises them. They are not chosen by vote or by chart; they are called — ordained by God, not appointed by man.
In America’s history, we once had a generation of such leaders — they were called the Black Robe Regiment. These were pastors during the American Revolution who wore black clerical robes as they preached. But they did more than preach — they ignited the conscience of a nation. From their pulpits came sermons that stirred liberty, challenged tyranny, and called men to moral courage.
The British feared them so much that they blamed the Revolution itself on “that Black Regiment.” These men were Samuel-leaders — men who stood between God and the people, declaring truth without compromise, reminding a young America that freedom without righteousness is still bondage.
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” — George Washington
Next comes “David-leadership.”
This kind of leader is rare — humble, courageous, and deeply devoted to God. David-leaders are called early and clearly. They love God and His Word. They are not perfect; they stumble and fall like all of us. But they repent, they grow, and they lead with heart. They defend the weak, fight for justice, and carry both strength and tenderness.
In our day, we saw glimpses of this kind of leadership in men who dared to speak truth, not for applause but for awakening. Charlie Kirk was one of these — unafraid to speak what was right, calling this generation to moral clarity and courage. David-leaders make people uncomfortable because they expose the line between right and wrong. They force us to choose. But they also inspire us to stand.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.” — James A. Garfield, 20th U.S. President and minister of the Gospel
Finally, when neither Saul nor David is present, and when the Samuels are ignored, “Jehu-leadership” arises.
This kind of leader bursts onto the scene when corruption, complacency, and wickedness have gone unchecked for too long. Jehu is not refined; he’s not careful; he’s not diplomatic. In fact, people call him “mad.” But his mission is unmistakable — to cleanse the land from corruption and idolatry.
In modern words, Jehu comes to “drain the swamp.” He does not wait for permission or consensus. He moves fast, acts boldly, and disrupts everything that needs to be shaken. His rule is not long — just long enough to tear down the idols and make space for righteousness to rise again. People either move with him or get run over by the speed of his calling.
And today in America, we have a Jehu — because we have allowed too many Sauls to lead for too long. Fearful leadership has invited chaos, and when the people grow weary of weakness, God raises a Jehu to cleanse what others were too afraid to confront.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” — Edmund Burke
If we are to be great again, we must first be godly again.
We must be willing to stand when others sit, to speak when others stay silent, to call evil “evil” and righteousness “righteous.”
Leadership is not defined by polish or position — it is defined by courage, conviction, and truth. The measure of leadership is not how loud a man speaks, but how faithfully he stands when the world bows.