Arachin 17: Righteous Leadership is in Context with one's Community

Our rabbis discuss leadership.  Should the leader's style set the tone for the community or does the community's behaviour create the leader's style?  The Gemara compares two of the kings of Judea during the period of the first Temple.  They were King Yoshiyahu, a righteous king, and his two sons who became king.  King Yehoyakim was described as a poor king, even though his generation was virtuous.  King Tzidkiyahu was said to be v virtuous king even though his generation was evil.  

A quote from the Gemara: For Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: What is the meaning of "In the beginning of the reign of Yehoyakim, the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Judah"?  The Holy One, Blessed be He, wanted to revert the world to chaos and void because of Yehoyakim, but when He considered his generation, his anger subsided.  The Holy One, Blessed be He, wanted to revert the world to chaos and void because of the generation of Tidkiyahu, but when He considered  Tzidiyahu, his anger subsided.

The prophet Yirmiyahu supported this view as well, as described in Sefer Yirmiyahu (36).  We learn that Yirmiyahu was commanded by G-d to commit his prophecies to writing so that they could be read to the kng.  The officers who heard the scroll read were impressed and afraid.  They insisted that King Yehoyakim hear it but when it was read to him he burned it.  He also tried to kill Yirmiyahu was was forced into hiding.

King Tzidkiyahu, on the other hand, is seen as a weak king but not an evil king.  He is criticized but he shows respect for the prophet Yirmiyahu and protects him (ch.37).  Evil activities are designated to community members, for the most part, and not to King Tzidkiyahu.