I recently came across a striking passage from The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. He wrote:
“A prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline;
for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank.
And, on the contrary, it is seen that when princes have thought more of ease than of arms they have lost their states.”
To understand its weight, let us consider the biblical account of King Solomon.
In 1 Chronicles 22:17–19, King David, nearing the end of his life, recognized that he was not permitted to build the temple due to the blood he had shed in war. Yet, David did not leave Solomon unprepared. He amassed vast resources, laid out detailed plans, and even commanded the leaders of Israel to support his son. Solomon inherited not just a throne but a kingdom rich with resources, loyalty, and order.
At the start of his reign, Solomon prospered greatly. Scripture records that he experienced peace throughout his rule, unlike his father – King David who was constantly engaged in battle.
Yet this peace, coupled with wealth and comfort, gradually bred complacency. Solomon turned towards leisure, foreign alliances, and marriages to “strange women” (1 Kings 11:1–4).
This type of ‘peace‘ ultimately led to his undoing, and in time, God pronounced judgment: the kingdom would be torn away from his house.
When we revisit Machiavelli’s words in light of Solomon’s story, the parallel becomes clear. Leadership without vigilance weakens over time. Peace, though desirable, is not the ultimate end.
In ancient times, kings expanded their wealth, secured their borders, and strengthened their nations through war. Peace was merely the interlude, a pause between campaigns, not the final destination.
Just as Machiavelli warned and Solomon’s reign illustrated, complacency is the enemy of lasting success. Unlike his father King David who had to fight many wars and was always on his toes, unsurprisingly, he remains the greatest king to ever rule the nation of Israel. Whether in leadership, business, or personal growth, the true safeguard of any kingdom whether ancient or modern, is continuous preparation, focus, and the refusal to be lulled into softness by comfort.
“As Kings, peace is not the end goal. Peace is the boring break between campaigns. And when peace comes, do not let it make you soft. In the absence of war, study war. In the presence of it, practice war.” – John Obidi, 2025
In every season, remember: the moment you stop sharpening your edge is the moment decline begins.
The bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV):
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
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2 thoughts on “War and Peace”
Leadership without vigilance weakens over time.
Success whether in leadership, business, or personal life is not preserved by comfort or peace, but by constant vigilance, preparation, and refusal to grow complacent.