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If you were to ask me which fictional character is my favorite, I would have to say King Lune. King Lune is the king of Archenland, a small kingdom just south of Narnia. His story, or at least a portion of it, is told in The Horse and His Boy, the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia. He is my favorite character because he embodies the kind of leader I admire—wise, steadfast, and sober-minded. His example as both a father and a ruler is one I hope to emulate in my own life. In a world where leadership often means power and privilege, King Lune models something different: responsibility, sacrifice, and joy in service.

To understand why his leadership stands out, let’s look at a pivotal moment in The Horse and His Boy—a moment that not only reveals his character but also offers profound lessons on what it truly means to lead.

Background

To understand the lessons King Lune teaches, let’s set the stage with a brief overview of the events leading up to his conversation with Cor.

Shasta and his companions have just raced across the desert, pushing themselves to the limit to warn King Lune of an impending attack. The ruthless Prince Rabadash is leading a surprise assault on Archenland, hoping to catch the kingdom defenseless and ultimately threaten Narnia as well. If Shasta fails, disaster is inevitable. But against all odds, they reach King Lune in time, and he swiftly prepares for battle. A fierce fight ensues, and in the end, good triumphs—Archenland is saved.

But the battle isn’t the only major event of the day. In its aftermath, Shasta makes a discovery that will change the course of his life forever. He learns that he is actually Cor, the long-lost firstborn son of King Lune. And with that revelation comes a responsibility he never expected—one he’s not sure he even wants.

This exchange between Cor and King Lune is where the lessons I want to highlight come into play:

“But Corin will be the King then, Father,” said Cor.

“Nay, lad,” said King Lune, “thou art my heir. The crown comes to thee.”

“But I don’t want it,” said Cor. “I’d far rather—”

“‘Tis no question what thou wantest, Cor, nor I either. ‘Tis in the course of law.”

“But if we’re twins we must be the same age.”

“Nay,” said the King with a laugh. “One must come first. Art Corin’s elder by full twenty minutes. And his better too, let’s hope, though that’s no great mastery.” And he looked at Corin with a twinkle in his eyes.

“But, Father, couldn’t you make whichever you like to be the next King?”

“No. The king’s under the law, for it’s the law makes him a king. Hast no more power to start away from thy crown than any sentry from his post.”

“Oh dear,” said Cor. “I don’t want to at all. And Corin—I am most dreadfully sorry. I never dreamed my turning up was going to chisel you out of your kingdom.”

“Hurrah! Hurrah!” said Corin. I shan’t have to be King. I shan’t have to be King. I’ll always be a prince. It’s princes have all the fun.”

“And that’s truer than thy brother knows, Cor,” said King Lune. “For this is what it means to be a king: to be first in every desperate attack and last in every desperate retreat, and when there’s hunger in the land (as must be now and then in bad years) to wear finer clothes and laugh louder over a scantier meal than any man in your land.”¹

King Lune’s response to Cor is striking. He doesn’t soften the news or allow Cor’s personal desires to override the law. Instead, he makes it clear that kingship is not about preference—it’s about duty. His words reveal two crucial truths about leadership that are just as relevant today as they were in Archenland:

• God has a law, and leaders are supposed to follow it.

• True leadership means responsibility, sacrifice, and setting the example.

What I Learned and How to Apply These Lessons

1) God Has a Law and Leaders Are Supposed to Follow It

King Lune’s leadership isn’t driven by personal preference or desire; instead, he follows the law—both the law of the land and the higher law of God. This principle of adhering to God’s design for leadership is an essential lesson for us today, especially when considering our roles in the home, church, and society.

The Bible makes it clear that God has established roles for leadership in all areas of life. In the family, Ephesians 5:23 teaches, “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior” (ESV). This passage reveals that leadership within the home is not about personal choice, but about following God’s divine plan. The husband’s role as head of the household mirrors Christ’s sacrificial leadership over the church. It’s a call to lead with love, humility, and selflessness, not for personal gain, but in service to others.

In the church, 1 Timothy 3 outlines the qualifications for leaders, specifying that men are to fill roles such as pastors and deacons. This isn’t a matter of inequality but rather a reflection of God’s design for order in both the family and the church. While many women are more than capable of leadership, these positions are reserved for men, as God has ordained the structure. To challenge or alter this design is to question God’s wisdom.

Moreover, this leadership extends beyond the home and church into society. In the Old Testament, we see God’s expectation that men lead in society as well. In Deuteronomy 17:14-17 and Exodus 18:21, God outlines the qualifications for leaders in Israel, calling for men who are godly, wise, and just. The leadership roles in society, whether in governance, business, or any other field, are designed for men to lead in a way that reflects God’s order. While women play crucial roles in every part of society, men are the ones designated to carry the responsibility of leadership in these contexts.

Just as King Lune couldn’t choose his successor based on personal preference, leaders today are bound by God’s law in their roles. The law is not subject to personal desires or cultural trends—it remains constant. A leader cannot abandon their post without consequence, just as a sentry who leaves their post faces dire repercussions. Disregarding God’s law undermines the very order that ensures good leadership.

When we fail to adhere to God’s design for leadership, we risk disorder and dysfunction, both in the home and in society. As Joe Rigney points out in The Sin of Empathy, modern movements that challenge traditional leadership roles, like feminism, often result in confusion about the proper places for men and women.² When leadership is seen as something to be adjusted according to personal feelings rather than God’s clear guidelines, the structure of society begins to falter. This is why it is crucial to honor God’s design for leadership.

God’s law isn’t just about who leads—it’s also about how we lead. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (ESV), setting an example of sacrificial love in leadership. Similarly, leaders in the church and society must be men of integrity, devoted to God’s commands, and above reproach. Leading according to God’s law means leading with humility, sacrifice, and righteousness.

Just as King Lune’s leadership was defined by duty and adherence to the law, we too are called to lead according to God’s law, in all areas of life—home, church, and society. This is the first step in becoming the kind of leader who exemplifies wisdom, responsibility, and sacrifice.

2) True Leadership Means Responsibility, Sacrifice, and Setting the Example

Joe Rigney summarizes what it means to be a king with a simple yet profound statement: “First in, last out, laughing loudest.”³ This idea of leadership—where the leader is always at the front in the face of danger, always at the rear in times of retreat, and maintains joy even in hardship—perfectly encapsulates the true nature of leadership.

Leadership is not about position or privilege; it’s about responsibility. True leadership means setting an example for those you lead, especially in the most challenging circumstances. It’s not about being served, but about serving others, often at great personal cost.

This principle is seen clearly in King Lune’s leadership. He exemplifies what it means to be a king—first in every desperate attack and last in every desperate retreat. When his kingdom is threatened, he stands at the forefront, ready to defend it, regardless of the risk to his own life. When the battle is won, he doesn’t bask in the glory; instead, he quietly assumes the weight of the crown’s responsibilities, understanding that leadership is about sacrifice, not reward.

This idea resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of leadership. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (ESV). Christ’s sacrificial leadership is the model for all who lead. A leader is called to give of themselves, to put the needs of others above their own, and to lead with a sense of humility and joy, even in the hardest times.

One of the greatest misunderstandings in leadership is the idea that it is about telling others what to do. The truth is, leadership is about showing others how to live. The phrase “Do as I say, not as I do” is a poor excuse for leadership. People, especially children, will not follow your instructions simply because you say so; they will follow your example. The adage “Do as I do, and as I say” is far more accurate. Leadership is about leading by example. If you want those under your care to live with integrity, humility, and responsibility, you must first model these qualities.

This is especially true in the context of fatherhood. As a father, I strive to be the first one up in the morning, the last one to bed at night, and to keep my spirits high even when sleep is scarce and the responsibilities of the day are overwhelming. These seemingly small actions reflect the larger principle of leading by example, and they send a clear message to my family that leadership is not about comfort, but about sacrifice.

In the Bible, the Christian life is often described as a battle. Fathers, as spiritual leaders of their homes, must be the first to engage in the spiritual battle against sin and temptation. This requires leading with strength and courage, even when the fight is difficult. It’s easy to lose joy in the midst of the battle, but it’s precisely in these moments that true leadership shines. Jesus went to the cross “for the joy that was set before him” (ESV Hebrews 12:2), and in the same way, we as leaders must embrace the joy that comes with sacrifice, even when it’s hard.

A helpful description of what it means to be a leader comes from Joe Rigney, who calls it “the glad assumption of sacrificial responsibility.”⁴ This phrase encapsulates the essence of leadership. It’s not about seeking accolades or recognition; it’s about taking on responsibility with joy, even when it costs you something. As leaders, we must be willing to take on the burdens of those we lead and do so with a joyful heart, knowing that this is what we are called to.

King Lune exemplifies this in The Horse and His Boy, and his leadership stands as a powerful example for us today. Just as he led with responsibility, sacrifice, and joy, we too are called to lead in the same way—first in, last out, and always leading with joy, even in the hardest moments.

Conclusion

King Lune’s life and leadership in The Horse and His Boy provide a powerful model for us today. He leads with wisdom, duty, and sacrifice, following the law of God and setting an example for those under his care. His leadership shows us that true authority is not about privilege, but about responsibility. It’s about being first in times of danger, last in times of retreat, and maintaining joy even when the burden is heavy. These qualities are not only admirable but are also the essence of what it means to lead as God intended.

As leaders, whether in our homes, churches, or society, we are called to emulate this kind of sacrificial leadership. The Bible instructs us that leadership is a position of service, not of self-promotion. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church—through sacrificial leadership that puts others before oneself. Just as King Lune follows the law and leads with joy, we too must follow God’s design for leadership, trusting that He will not forsake us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (ESV). In all our leadership roles, we can take comfort in knowing that as long as we align ourselves with God’s plan, He will be with us, providing strength, wisdom, and courage to lead with joy and confidence.

As we look to Jesus as our ultimate example—who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2)—let us also run the race set before us, leading those under our care with sacrificial love, responsibility, and joy. May we lead in the way King Lune did, reflecting the heart of God’s design for leadership in every area of our lives.

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1. Lewis, C. S. (1982). The Horse and His Boy. HarperCollins. Pages 222-223. ↩︎
2. Rigney, Joe. 2025. The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits. Canon Press. ↩︎
3. Rigney, J. (2023, June 30). First In, Last Out, Laughing Loudest: The Shining Strength of Good Men. Desiring God. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/first-in-last-out-laughing-loudest ↩︎
4. Rigney, J. (2019, October 8). 7 Important Lessons about Masculinity. Crossway. Retrieved March 21, 2025, from https://www.crossway.org/articles/7-important-lessons-about-masculinity/ ↩︎