Lord, Why did you allow THEM to lead?

How many times have you looked around at those in positions of authority and thought, “How did you get this position?” If you’re a Christian, you might even wonder why God would allow certain people to hold power, especially when their decisions seem destructive or chaotic. You watch the results of their actions, trade stories with coworkers about how things could be done better, and ask yourself why the people who seem least qualified are often the most confident they’re doing the right thing.

The Bible actually offers some fascinating insight into leadership. From kings and judges to military and spiritual leaders, authority in Scripture comes in many forms, and not always the way we’d expect. Let’s explore the different ways someone could be appointed as a leader.

Different Ways Someone Could Be Appointed as a Leader in the Bible

1. Divine Appointment

Some leaders were chosen directly by God, often through prophets or divine instruction. These appointments weren’t about family lineage or ambition—they were about God’s purposes.

• Moses: Led Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10).

• Joshua: Succeeded Moses as military and spiritual leader (Numbers 27:18–23).

• Samuel: Called as a prophet and judge from childhood (1 Samuel 3:19–21).

• David: Though the youngest son, chosen by God to be king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1–13).

In these cases, God’s selection bypassed natural expectations, showing that leadership isn’t simply about birthright or status, but alignment with His plan.

2. Hereditary Succession

Some leaders inherited their positions because of family lineage. This was common among kings and priests:

• Solomon: Succeeded his father David (1 Chronicles 28:5–6).

• Aaron’s descendants: Appointed as priests in the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 28:1).

Hereditary succession provided stability, but it didn’t guarantee godly leadership—as many kings of Israel and Judah demonstrated.

3. Appointment Through Death, Usurpation, or Regicide

Sometimes, authority came when a previous leader died, was removed, or even killed:

• Cain, who gained prominence after killing Abel (Genesis 4:1–16).

• Zimri, who killed King Elah to briefly become king of Israel (1 Kings 16:8–20).

• David, who became king after Saul’s death (1 Samuel 31:1–13; 2 Samuel 2:4–11).

This category includes both illegitimate usurpation and God-permitted succession, showing that authority can arise in morally complex ways.

4. Appointment Through Prophets or Spiritual Authority

Prophets often anointed or directed leaders to fulfill God’s purposes:

• Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 10:1).

• Elisha’s disciple anointed Jehu to execute God’s judgment and become king (2 Kings 9:1–13).

• Joash (Jehoash) became king of Judah under the guidance of priest Jehoiada (2 Kings 11:4–21).

Even when situations seemed chaotic, God worked through intermediaries to place leaders in the right role.

5. Leaders Rising by Merit or Call

Some were chosen because of ability, courage, or a calling:

• Gideon, who led Israel against the Midianites despite initial hesitancy (Judges 6–8).

• Deborah, a judge and military leader (Judges 4–5).

• Joseph, who rose to power in Egypt because of his wisdom and dream interpretation (Genesis 41:39–41).

6. Appointed for a Mission or Service

God sometimes places people in authority to fulfill a specific purpose, rather than for political power:

• Esther, queen to save her people (Esther 4:14).

• Mary, chosen to bear the Messiah (Luke 1:30–31).

• Paul, appointed as apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

• Nehemiah, appointed governor to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 2:5–8).

Observations from Biblical Leadership

A few key patterns emerge:

• Leadership is rarely just about personal ambition; God’s purposes often determine who rises.

• Authority comes in many forms: divine choice, inheritance, death, human appointment, merit, or mission.

• God can work through imperfect or unlikely leaders—even those who seem unqualified or morally flawed.

Now, you might be thinking: “But none of my leaders were chosen by God or by royal lineage!” Often, people get promoted today through favoritism, seniority, networking, flattery, or even bribery. Sound familiar? These tactics aren’t new—they’ve been around since biblical times. Story after story shows how poor leadership leads people astray. Out of 40 kings of Israel, the Bible records only 9 as “good,” and a few more started well but turned from God. The rest are described as “evil in the sight of the Lord.”

Even Bad Leadership Serves God’s Plan

Even when leaders fail, God can use them to accomplish His purposes:

1. God’s Sovereignty Over Leadership
   Proverbs 21:1 reminds us: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the Lord’s hand; he turns it wherever he will.”Even leaders who act against God’s will are part of His plan.

2. Leadership as a Test or Lesson
   Poor leadership exposes the need for God’s guidance, humility, and discernment. Israel faced repeated consequences for kings who disobeyed God—lessons that remain relevant today.

3. Unexpected Instruments of God’s Plan
   Joseph, David, and Esther were unlikely candidates who became instruments of God’s purpose. God can work through imperfect people, even in morally complex situations.

4. Accountability and Wisdom
   Leaders, whether appointed by God, inherited, or rising through circumstance, are accountable for their decisions. Power without humility or justice leads to ruin—for themselves and those they lead.

Leadership in the Bible comes in many forms: divine appointment, inheritance, merit, death or removal of a predecessor, or specific missions. From a human perspective, these appointments may seem unfair or illogical, but Scripture shows that God’s plan often works through unexpected circumstances.

For modern Christians, the lessons are clear:

• Trust in God’s sovereignty—He sees the bigger picture even when we don’t.

• Cultivate discernment, wisdom, and integrity in leadership.

• Respond faithfully to authority, whether godly or flawed.

Ultimately, the Bible encourages us not to despair when leaders seem unqualified or corrupt, but to trust that God can work through all situations to accomplish His purposes.