The Israelites viewed their leaders as appointed by God and responsible for guiding the community according to God's will. In the early days, Moses was their primary leader, and he was seen as a prophet and the recipient of divine revelation. The judges who succeeded him were also seen as appointed by God to deliver the people from their enemies and maintain justice. Later on, the kings who ruled over Israel were considered to have a special relationship with God, and their legitimacy was often based on their obedience to God's commands. Overall, the Israelites placed a great deal of importance on their leaders and saw them as essential for their spiritual and physical well-being.