Print

I SAMUEL 26:21

"I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL"

Intro: Autobiography   A man knows the truth about himself, though he seeks to hide it
       from others.

I. THE MAN SAUL.
        A. His natural qualities.
                1. He was tall and good looking. "A choice young man and goodly."
                        a. Looks and physique isn't everything.
                2. Good home life. Caring, loving.
                        a. "My father will be worried about me."
                3. Humble.
                        a. My tribe is the smallest and my family the lease in the tribe.
                        b. Content to remain behind the plow until call of duty came.
                           Jabesh-gilead.
                4. Yet the man who at the end of his career said...
        B. The opportunities that came to him.
                1. Called by God as first king over Israel.
                        a. The call for a king manifested spiritual decline.
                        b. Rejection of God.
                        c. Yet the opportunity to reign in such a way that the people
                           would realize God still rules.
                2. Anointed with Holy Spirit. (10:10.
                3. Surrounded by a band of men whose hearts God had touched. (10:26.
                4. Yet the man who at the end confessed...

II. MANIFESTATIONS OF HIS FOLLY.
        A. Hiding on day of coronation.
                1. Was this not a further sign of humility?
                2. When God has called you to a task and you try to hide, that's folly.
        B. His developing pride. Called up a standing army.
                1. And Jonathan smote the Philistines.
        C. Impatience and intrusion into the office of the priest, offered sacrifice
           at Gilgal.
                1. Samuel rebuked, "Saul you have done foolishly."
        D. Foolish vow. "Cursed be the man who eats anything until Saul is
                avenged of all his enemies."
        E. Disobedience to the command of God to utterly destroy the Amalekites.
        F. His jealousy and pursuit of David.
        G. His consulting with the witch.

III. WHAT WAS THE TRUE FOLLY?
        A. His failure to fully submit his life to God.

IV. WHAT STORY TEACHES US.
        A. Natural advantages do not guarantee success.
        B. Opportunities do not crown a man.
        C. A man plays a fool when:
                1. He tries to hide from call of God on his life.
                2. When he allows pride to enter his heart.
                3. When he intrudes into areas where he has not been called by  God.
                4. When he turns away from his godly friends.
                5. Seeks guidance from spirit world of witchcraft or spiritism.
        D. A man is a fool when he fails to totally submit his life to God.