Leadership and Integrity – The Power of Keeping Commitments

What makes a leader truly trustworthy?

?? Integrity—and it starts with keeping your word.

In this third post in the Leadership Lessons from Two Kings series, we focus on one of the greatest tests of leadership: the ability to honor commitments, even when inconvenient.

Two kings—Saul and David—handled this very differently.

? Saul: Breaking Covenant, Breaking Trust

Saul broke Israel’s long-standing covenant with the Gibeonites, a treaty made generations before his reign (Joshua 9:15). His decision brought disaster on the nation—three years of famine (2 Samuel 21:1-2).

? Lesson from Saul:

• Leadership is not about doing what’s easy—it’s about doing what’s right.
• Breaking trust for short-term gain creates long-term loss.

?? David: Honoring Covenant, Restoring Trust

David, unlike Saul, kept his covenant with Jonathan even when pressured (2 Samuel 9:1-7; 21:7). He spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, honoring his word even when others demanded justice.

? Lesson from David:

• Great leaders keep their promises, even when inconvenient.
• Integrity builds trust and respect that outlives a leader’s time in power.

?? Modern Leadership Reflection:

• In business: Do you keep commitments to employees, partners, and clients when circumstances change?
• In government: Do you honor national and international agreements, even when pressured?
• In personal leadership: Do you stand by your word in relationships and leadership roles?

?? Leadership Takeaway:

A leader’s word is their bond. Once broken, trust is hard to regain.

?? Integrity is leadership’s greatest currency.

?? Over to You:

?? What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned about keeping commitments?

?? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you missed the earlier posts in this series, check them out:

?? Part 1: Leadership Lessons from Two Kings – Introduction

?? Part 2: Leadership in Crisis – The Test of Moral Courage

#Leadership #Integrity #Trust #LeadershipDevelopment #LessonsFromHistory #SaulAndDavid