Games People Play NASCAR racing, the most watched sport in America. NASCAR racing, the most watched sport in America. Soccer most popular game in the world. Soccer most popular game in the world. Other popular games – basketball, football, baseball, etc. Other popular games – basketball, football, baseball, etc. None of these games, or activities, is the “game” most often played. None of these games, or activities, is the “game” most often played.

“I Have Played the Fool!” I Samuel 26:21: “Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. Fact: No man ever had better opportunity, nor failed more miserably!

Background Information: Israel Demanded a King, I Samuel 8:1-5. In this request, they “rejected” God that He should not reign over them, I Samuel 8:6. Even so, God told Samuel “hearken unto their voice, and make them a king,” I Samuel 8:22.

Saul Had Many Advantages: Son of Kish, I Samuel 9:1. “Choice and Handsome,” I Sam. 9:2. From his head and shoulders he was taller than the people, I Samuel 9:2. An obedient son, I Samuel 9:3,4. A Concerned Son, I Samuel 9:5.

Saul’s Advantages (continued) He was Humble, I Samuel 9: After being anointed King, he had a conversation with his uncle, but said nothing about his having been anointed king, I Samuel 10: He was anointed to serve as king, I Samuel 10:1,2. The Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied, I Samuel 10:9-11.

After Becoming King, Saul Committed Grievous Sin! Offered Sacrifice when he should not, I Samuel 13:8,9. cf. I Sam. 10:8. He Disobeyed God, I Samuel 15:3,9. He Lied, I Samuel 15:13 He Blamed “the people” for his failures, I Samuel 15:15,21. He became Jealous and Envious, I Samuel 18:7-9.

Saul Committed Grievous Sin (con’t). Began a prolonged effort to kill David, I Samuel 18:10. Threw Javelin at David, I Sam. 18:10- 11; I Samuel 19:10. Tried to kill him by putting him at a disadvantage, I Samuel 18: Tried to hunt David down as if he were a common criminal. Yet David twice spared his life, 24:3-6; 26:11-12!

Saul Committed Grievous Sin (con’t). He patronized the Superstitions He had Forbidden, I Samuel 28:3-7. He patronized the Superstitions He had Forbidden, I Samuel 28:3-7. He Committed Suicide, I Sam. 31:1-4. He Committed Suicide, I Sam. 31:1-4. After he deliberately fell upon his sword, the Philistines cut off his head, and sent it into the land of the Philistines..to publish it in the houses of their idols. After he deliberately fell upon his sword, the Philistines cut off his head, and sent it into the land of the Philistines..to publish it in the houses of their idols. In addition to this, his thee sons were killed & Israel lost the battle, 31:3-7. In addition to this, his thee sons were killed & Israel lost the battle, 31:3-7.

Saul’s Life Summarized: He was very handsome, but he acted very ugly; he was very tall, but he stooped very low; he was anointed by God, but was possessed by Satan. He was a king, yet he was a slave to his own passions. In His own Words, he “played the fool!”

People Today Play “the fool” when they commit the same Sins! Disobedience to God, I Sam. 15:22,23. When filled with envy and jealousy, I Samuel 18:7-9; James. 3:16. When anger remains in their hearts. When they seek direction from the wrong source, I Samuel 28. When right feelings are not translated into the right deeds, I Samuel 24: 16,17.

People Today “Play the Fool” when: They refuse to use their abilities for God’s glory, Luke 12:48; Matthew 25: They do not honor their wedding vows. Matthew 19:6; Eccl. 5:1,2. They waste their bodies on alcohol and other drugs, Romans 13:14. “I’m not hurting anyone but myself” is a big lie!

People Today “Play the Fool” when: They put off obedience to the Gospel! Worse than playing Russian Roulette! They deny the existence of God, Psalm 14:1; Romans 1: They do not Build upon the Proper Foundation, Matthew 7:24-27.

Conclusion: Someone has said that “fools are not born; they are made, and generally they are self-made!” Hell will be filled with people who “played the fool,” with people who were “self- made” fools! Don’t be a fool! Obey God!