BIOGRAPHY OF A FOOL
1 Samuel 26:21 Rev. R. B. Hughes
01/04/01
1Sam. 26:21 “…. behold, I have played the fool …”
I. INTRODUCTION
April Fools Day!
What is April Fools Day and how did it begin? The origin is rather uncertain.
The common belief: The reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year was moved from April 1st to January 1st.
During that time in history there was no television or radio so word spread slowly. There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those who merely forgot.
These people were considered "fools" and invitations to non-existent parties and other practical jokes were played on them.
In France, people stick cutout paper fish on another’s back or send them anonymously in the mail and declare “April Fish!”.
Fool or fish, it is customarily a day of pranks.
To be a fool in real life is no joke!
There are many Biographies on the market today …. This one wouldn’t sell well.
These were not Saul’s last words but can certainly be construed as his biography.
“I’ve played the fool …”
What a sad commentary of Gods choice to be the first king of His people.
SAUL CERTAINLY DIDN’T START OUT THIS WAY …..
II. ISRAEL WANTS A KING
1Sam. 8:1-7 The Reason ; 8: 8-18 The Warning ; 8:19-22 The Request.
Free: You know there is going to be trouble.
- Therefore God chooses for them a king. He was no slouch.
III. SAUL’S GREAT BEGINNINGS
1. Excellent Family (9:1)
- Strong tradition.
- Servants (wealth)
2. Excellent Looks (9:2)
- Young, handsome, healthy, height.
3. Excellent Life Style (9:3,5,6)
- Concerned with his fathers affairs.
- Involved with his fathers business.
- Considerate of his father’s feelings.
- Had a simple faith.
- Modest (v.21)
Yet his summary is: “I have played the fool …”
IV. SAUL’S GREAT CALL
9:17 …. God: “Samuel, there’s our man.”
9:19,20 …. Speaks to the seed of greatness within Saul’s hearts.
9:22 ; 10:1 …. Saul must have felt special.
Everything Gets Taken Care Of. In Chapter 10
1. Vs 2 His fathers donkeys.
2. Vs 3,4 Saul’s immediate needs.
3. Vs 5 Good company
4. Vs 6 Spirit anointing and proof of it.
5. Vs 7 Confirmation
6. Vs 8 Direction
7. Vs 9 New heart
8. Vs 10 Spirit of prophecy again
9. Vs 11 Others see the new giftings
WOW. What a great start.
You would never guess that this was the making of a fool.
YET: “I have played the fool”
V. SAUL’S GREAT START
Chapter 11 gives Saul’s first action as a king.
We see Saul expressing and offering grace, forgiveness and new opportunity to those who opposed his appointment a King of Israel.
….. I have played the fool …..
Saul had it all. Every opportunity. Every spiritual blessing. Appointed by God, supported by Gods prophets and looked up to by Gods people.
The Titanic had a great start.
In 1986 The Space Shuttle Challenger had a great start.
Saul had a great start. Then his star begins to fade.
VI. SAUL’S GREAT SEEDS OF FOOLISHNESS
1. 10:22,23
- Saul hides foolishly.
- Remember the confirmations God gave him?
- Yet he hides from responsibility.
2. 12: 23-25
- At Saul’s inauguration. The words “and your King”.
- Saul ignored early warnings of possible problems.
3. 12:8-14 (v.12)
- “I felt compelled …”
- Pro.12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens to counsel is wise.
- If it feels right do it mentality. Obedience doesn’t always “feel” good.
4. 14:24
- Spoke foolishly.
- Prov.29:11 “a fool utters all that’s on his mind”
- Fool doesn’t guard their words … can utter curse.
5. 14:35
- Built his FIRST altar too late.
- Already had many battles … yet first altar.
6. 15:3,9
- Disobeyed foolishly.
- He is a fool ho knows and disobeys Gods word.
7. 15:15,20
- Lied foolishly.
- His disobedience lead to lies.
8. 15:24
- Feared foolishly.
- Feared man more than God.
- Obeyed peoples words and not Gods.
· I played the fool ….
9. 15:30
- He expected foolishly.
- Honour me despite sin?
10. 18:7,8
- Had foolish pride.
- Pride comes before the fall.
11. 22:17,18
- He killed foolishly
“I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL …..”
- What a biography.
- The scriptural evidence is there.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
- What if I had opportunity to spread your bio in a sermon?
- How much fools evidence would I uncover?
SAUL DIDN’T SURRENDER TO GOD.
EVERYTHING WAS ABOUT SAUL.
· Jonathon was the one who naturally should hate David.
· Jonathon was no fool.
· Jonathon loved God and Gods plan for his life and David’s.
VII. THE DEATH OF A FOOL
1Sam. 31:4,9,10
Saul, the fool, took his own life.
It was his own after all. It was never surrendered to God.
VIII. LIFE FOR THE FOOLISH
1Cor. 1:25-27 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Unlike Saul Jesus didn’t hide when the time came.
Unlike Saul Jesus built an altar early.
Unlike Saul Jesus spoke words of life.
Unlike Saul Jesus walked obediently.
Unlike Saul Jesus waited for Gods timing.
Unlike Saul Jesus didn’t take His life, He surrendered it.
When we come to Jesus we begin with every spiritual blessing.
- Don’t play the fool with it.
