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Beware Not to “Play the Fool”

Scripture Reading: 1 Sam 26:21-25

When Saul started out as King of Israel it appeared he might be the greatest leader in the OT

From the outside it appeared as though Saul had everything

As time passed, his character flaws were revealed Impatience Acting rash Envy Disobedience and disloyalty to God

1 Sam 26:21 offers Saul’s own assessment of himself 1 Sam 26:21 “…Indeed I have played the fool and erred

exceedingly.” In this lesson we will look at ways Saul “Played the fool”

and use that as examples of warning for us today

Introduction

Saul’s reign begins under the favor of God and he is assisted by Samuel

Saul’s first great sin against God is recorded in 1 Sam 13 (1 Sam 13:1-13)

Samuel was delayed in arriving so Saul took over Samuel’s job of high priest and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings

Saul had no right to do this and is rebuked by Samuel for these actions

Another act of disobedience is recorded in 1 Sam 15:1-23 The army was to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites and their

possessions (v 3) Paul spared King Agag and kept the best of the livestock and

“all that was good” (v 9) Samuel again confronts Saul for his disobedience which Saul at

first denies before telling the truth (v 22-23) To disobey God is a serious offense

A man plays the fool when he disobeys God’s commands

Saul lost his relationship with Samuel when he disobeyed God 1 Sam 15:35 “And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day

of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.”

The Bible records Saul’s loss of friendship with David in 1 Sam 18

When David killed Goliath and gained popularity the women began to sing and praise him

1 Sam 18:7 “So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”

Saul responds to David’s popularity with anger and jealousy 1 Sam 18:8-9 “8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased

him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward.”

A man plays the fool when he lets his sin cut him off from his friends

A man loses his friends when he plays the fool

We must all expect the truth that there will be some things we will never know the answer to while on the earth

1 Cor 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

Saul attempted to consult a medium to gain answers to questions God refused to answer (1 Sam 28:7-25)

1 Sam 28:15 “15 Now Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.”

Saul’s disobedience ultimately cost him his throne 1 Chron 10:13-14 “13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had

committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”

A man plays the fool when he seeks out answers from others to questions God simply hasn’t answered

One can choose to either live their life as a fool or faithfully follow after God

How will you live your life? Will you play the part of the fool? Will you be faithful to God’s will for your

life Consider the truth found in God’s Word

in the book of Proverbs Prov 3:35 “The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.”

Conclusion