{ 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 regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.”  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 L ORD 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, because he did not keep the word of the, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the ; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”  1 Chron 10:13-14 “ 13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the L ORD, because he did not keep the word of the L ORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the L ORD ; 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