How were leaders selected to lead men into battle in ancient times?

 Believe it or not, the leaders were selected by the men who chose for themselves who they would follow into battle. The men would gather in groups from the different farm areas, towns, or villages and marched together to assemble with other fighters from different areas to a battlefield. The selected leader would then report to the King or General and participate in making battle plans.
If you think about this, it is basically what we do when we go to vote. However, most of us really do not know as much about who we are going to vote for do we?  In my opinion, if you carefully study all the plus or minus marks of each candidate statements on various issues, you may wind up voting for the lesser of two evils.  Most of today’s news sources owners are biased, and radio, TV, and road signs with names of people you do not know personally is either marketing or advertising, or propaganda methods of name recognition.
So what has the wise King Solomon have to say about how to select a leader? I really do not know other than to read what he wrote three thousand years ago of what he may have thought about the Queen of Sheba when she first paraded into Jerusalem.  However, I surmised from his writings what he may have thought or considered about these three things.
  1. Appearance
Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent the sun, as awe inspiring as bannered troops? (Song of Songs 6:10)
Sounds to me like he was pretty impressed by this person outward appearance. However, being wise, he did not decide on appearances (advertising, propaganda,) to judge the person, he looked inward as I surmised from his proverb as this next writing suggests.
  1. Character
As I listened to the cheering and looked at Bilqis, I thought to myself, she illuminates the gold she displays with her graciousness and taste. She derives attention not only from her attractiveness, or from her gold earrings that she wears, but also more significantly from the personal qualities within her. This is a beautiful woman with good taste and intellectual discrimination. Anyone can wear gold earrings, yet gold alone will not bring a woman respect and influence. A gold ring on a pig’s snout, a beautiful woman with no taste. (Proverb 11:22)
When she later may have asked him how he selects a leader, I surmised what he replied in this explanation based on his proverbs.
  1. Leadership Experience
“Solomon, when you travel to your providence’s, what information do you seek to ascertain the truth of whether or not your appointees are capable and loyal leaders?” 
“Bilqis, one of the most important duties of a leader is to appoint the best and most capable leaders to maintain order and progress in their kingdom. I strongly believe in delegating responsibility to those I appoint to maintain order for the day-to-day tasks. I also believe a leader should travel often and check on their progress and to maintain strong personal relationships to promote trade and unity.”
“An ideal governor is an upright truthful man. A community will thrive on the candor of their governor. A king loves the candid man with integrity in his circle of advisors.” A king approves truthful speech, and loves the words of upright men. (Proverb 16:13)
“A ruler is deserving of the kind of leaders he appoints. If a ruler wants his officials to be a stickler for truth and goodness, he must himself be a stickler to attract men of caliber into his service. Men of integrity will not tolerate and serve a king that lacks rigor and probity. A king must investigate to find the truth of every affair. If the king is slack and irresponsible to seek truth, the lies of the wicked will prevail and reflect upon the king. Wicked men poison the life of the community for their own ends will seize the opportunity to serve a master of their own kind.” A ruler who gives credence to a lie, all who serve him are wicked men. (Proverb 29:12)
Purpose of this Post
When we vote, it is the only time we actually become a ruler over who we will choose to lead us. Who will you vote for and would you follow him or her into battle?
Regards and good will blogging
Source of Above Excerpts
As A Lily Among Thorns – A Story of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and the Goddess of Wisdom by Rudy U Martinka