Abstract
The study examines Solomon’s wisdom and discerning mind as a strategy
towards achieving effective leadership in Nigeria. Nigeria is blessed with
abundant human resources. Furthermore, her materials resources are
unquantifiable. Ordinarily, it is expected that good living, social justice,
and equity should be the order of the day, but this hope is being dashed
looking at the contemporary Nigerian situation. The level of poverty,
unemployment, and protests going on in the country is a proof of the failure of
leadership. It was discovered that the poor state of mind of Nigerian leaders and lack of
consciousness of leadership responsibility, particularly in managing the
divergent human and material resources has contributed to the sorry state of
the Nation, politically and otherwise. This study utilized the narrative
analysis which is mostly used to interpret histories or stories. It brings out underlying
realities behind stories. The study recommends a holistic approach by the
church in teaching people in leadership positions the need to seek divine
understanding so as to enable them to lead well.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Requirement Page – – – – – – – ii
Approval Page – – – – – – – – iii
Certification – – – – – – – – – iv
Dedication – – – – – – – – v
Acknowledgments – – – – – – – vi
Abstract – – – – – – – – viii
Table of Content – – – – – – – ix
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background of the Study – – – – – – 1
- Statement of the Problem – – – – – – 3
- Aim of the Study – – – – – – 4
- Scope of the Study – – – – – – 4
- Significance of the Study – – – – – – 4
- Research Methodology – – – – – – 5
- Definitions of Terms – – – – – – 6
CHAPTER
TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Effective Leadership in the Old Testament – – – – 9
2.2 Ineffective Leadership in the Old Testament – – -14
2.3 Elements in Old Testament Leadership Model – – -16
2.4 Solomon’s Leadership Model – – – – -19
2.5 Deuteronomist Assessment of Solomon – – – -23
2.6 Summary of Literature Review – – – -24
CHAPTER
THREE: AN EXEGESIS OF 1 KINGS 3:3-14
3.1 Historical and Literary Context of the Passage – – -26
3.2 The Text in the Hebrew and its English Translation – -30
3.3 Structure of 1st Kings 3:3-14- – – – – -32
3.4 Exegesis of Verses 3-4 – – – – – -33
3.5 Exegesis of Verses 5-9 – – – – – -35
3.6 Exegesis of Verses 10-13 – – – – – -37
3.7 Exegesis of Verses 14 – – – – – – -39
CHAPTER FOUR: WISDOM
AND DISCERNMENT FOR EFFECTIVE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA
4.1 Assessing Political Leadership in Nigeria – – -40
4.2 Implication of Nigeria Political Leadership Challenges -44
4.3 Wisdom and Discernment for Political Leaders in Nigeria – -46
4.3.1 Consciousness of Leadership Responsibility – – – -46
4.3.2 Unbending Integrity – – – – – -47
4.3.3 Humility – – – – – – – – -48
4.3.4 Superiority of Transactional leadership – – -48
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1 General Assessment – – – – – -50
5.2 Limitations of the Study – – – – – -52
5.3 Suggestions for Further Study – – – – -52
5.4 Contributions to Knowledge – – – – – -53
5.5 Recommendations – – – – – – – -53
5.6 Conclusion – – – – – – – -54
References
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
It
is glaring that the development of any society depends on how effective the
leadership of that country is. In Nigeria, lack of effective political leadership
has continued to be a reoccurring problem. It is on this premise that the
leadership situation in Nigeria is looked into.
Solomon, the son of
King David and Bathsheba, became king of Judah and Israel in the year 967 BCE until
his death in 928 BCE. Solomon’s wisdom
has been generally perceived as focusing on his parables, proverbs, and songs,
while his political and economic qualities have been overlooked. The expansion
of Israel’s economy during the reign of Solomon was due to his effective
political policies. Hopkins (1977) reveals that in displaying political and
administrative wisdom, Solomon proved equal to taking full advantage of the
unparalleled opportunity for economic growth and development. Consequently, the
freedom from armed conflict, during Solomon’s reign, was a rare phenomenon in
antiquity, looking at his predecessors.
From Jewish history, there was unprecedented development during the reign of Solomon. Internationally, there was bilateral agreement between Jerusalem and other nations which were very beneficial to the people of Israel and Judah. Nationally, there was exploration of natural resources in mines and stone quarries. In was in this light that Louis (2008) states that it was Solomon’s political strategy made possible by his wisdom to be able to keep peace with all the rulers of Philistines, Jebusites, Hivites, Ammonites, among others, which David his father fought against during his reign. It was this peace that afforded Solomon the time to be able to build a temple for God. During Nigeria’s independence, there were excitements that the potentials of Nigeria, which the white man has been nipping in the bud, would materialize. There were prophecies and anticipations that Nigeria would be one of the countries to be reckoned with internationally, based on development political culture and robust economy. Odo (2015) writes that this optimism, hope and great expectations were regrettably misplaced. Shadows have been cast over the sanguinity and buoyancy of the faith of a developed Nigeria. After 57 years of independence, Tolu, kayode and Ilepe (2012:188) laments that “there is absolutely nothing to show for this fifty-one year of existence. Nigeria of today cannot compete favourably with its counterpart in the march to development, especially in the areas of quality of life, infrastructural facilities, basic needs of life and technological development.” One can see the pains of the average man, the hunger of the common man and cry of the less privileged, with regards to the economic recession and downturn necessitated by inept and ineffective leadership Nigeria has continually experienced. Corroborating this fact, Tolu and Dare (2012) state that the socio-economic and political development of any country depends greatly on the ability of its leadership to facilitate, entrench and sustain good governance.
SOLOMON’S WISDOM AND DISCERNING MIND AS ROAD MAPS FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA (I KINGS 3:3-14)
