King Saul's Zeal Without Knowledge

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you distress? Yes, but I rule over distress because of the LORD JESUS CHRIST

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To prove that apart from GOD we are nothing and we can do nothing.

IV. TEXT:

1 Samuel 14:24 (Amplified Bible)

14:24 But the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had caused them to take an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food before evening and until I have taken vengeance on my enemies. So none of the men tasted any food.

Proverbs 19:2 (New International Version)

19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Romans 10:2 (New International Version)

10:2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces that's why we rest in our faith knowing that the battle is the LORD's and we are already more than conquerors because of You.

VI. TITLE:

King Saul's zeal without knowledge

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: unknown

B. Date written: After 1011 B.C.

C. Purpose: To record the founding of the Hebrew monarchy

D. To whom written: The nation of Israel

E. Keyword: king

F. Key verses:

1 Samuel 8:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.

According to all the works which they have done since I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they also do to you.

1 Samuel 15:22 (Amplified Bible)

Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Unnecessary distress for men of Israel

"But the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had caused them to take an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food before evening and until I have taken vengeance on my enemies."

Distressed or "nagas" in Hebrew which means:

1. to drive

2. to tax

3. harass, tyrannize - to exercise arbitrary power; to rule with unjust and oppressive severity; to exercise power over others not permitted by law or required by justice, or with a severity not necessary to the ends of justice and government.

Where does distress comes?

1. When GOD's people look at their ministry leaders as masters and they are the slaves.

Exodus 3:7 (Amplified Bible)

3:7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters and oppressors; for I know their sorrows and sufferings and trials.

2. When you have unpaid debts and unpaid loans

Deuteronomy 15:2-3 (Amplified Bible)

15:2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, for the Lord’s release is proclaimed.

15:3 Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother [Israelite] your hand shall release.

3. When you're in a middle of war or battle

1 Samuel 13:6 (Amplified Bible)

13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a tight situation—for their troops were hard pressed—they hid in caves, holes, rocks, tombs, and pits or cisterns.

4. When you're in a middle of war, and you're in prayer and fasting

1 Samuel 14:24 (Amplified Bible)

14:24 But the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had caused them to take an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food before evening and until I have taken vengeance on my enemies. So none of the men tasted any food.

Isaiah 58:3 (Amplified Bible)

58:3 Why have we fasted, they say, and You do not see it? Why have we afflicted ourselves, and You take no knowledge [of it]? Behold [O Israel], on the day of your fast [when you should be grieving for your sins], you find profit in your business, and [instead of stopping all work, as the law implies you and your workmen should do] you extort from your hired servants a full amount of labor.

5. When you are taxed, or monthly bills

2 Kings 23:35 (Amplified Bible)

23:35 Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money as Pharaoh commanded. He exacted the silver and gold of the people of the land, from everyone according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Necho.