Leadership challenge: remembering a most pious leader

Whether they like to admit it or not, most leaders have a big ego. Often such leaders allow pride and/or fear to govern their decision-making.

Very few leaders combine humility with confidence, gentleness with strength, and mercy with truth. There are even fewer who can claim to be truly pious.

The value of piety means righteousness; or reverence and devotion to God.

Many years ago, there was a man who proved to be a pious leader. He served God and judged the people well. Yet, today his contemporaries are more often remembered and discussed than this man.

Can you guess the name of this pious leader?

• He had a heart for both God and his countrymen.
• He was known as a great prophet of God, and was well respected by all the people.
• The people listened to him, because he was secure in his calling.
• He was pious his whole life, even though his mentor was not pious.
• When God first spoke to him as a young boy, it took 3 tries before the boy realized it was God calling him.
• Growing up, he witnessed the defeat of his people, followed by 20 years of oppression.
• After gaining national prominence as a prophet, he organized an army and led them into battle, defeating their oppressors, and bringing peace back to his country.
• When the people asked for a king, and got one, he willingly shared his authority with the new king.
• He tried to help the new king develop his potential, but was rejected.
• He selected the next king, a boy, while the first king still reigned.
• He never hesitated to speak the truth, even if it hurt.
• Until Christ came (about 1,000 years later), he was the only one who ever served as a prophet, priest and judge (similar to a king).

Can you guess his name? 

[Extra Hint#1: He anointed the first two kings of the Kingdom of Israel.]

[Extra Hint#2: Two books of the Bible are named after him.] 

Please post your answers below.

How many data points did you have to read before you figured it out?

Today’s value was selected from the “Devoutness-Purity” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.